New polling from the Angus Reid Institute has found that 76 per cent of Canadians believe “Canada did the right thing” by ending trade negotiations with the U.S. as trade talks between the two nations fell apart.
The findings also say that 59 per cent of Canadians believe the government has “not very much” or “no control at all” on whether an acceptable agreement would be reached, a belief “held at equal levels across the political spectrum.”
“Half (53 per cent) of those who voted Conservative in the 2025 federal election say it was “right” to walk away rather than accept a bad deal,” the poll states.
In addition, 69 per cent of Liberal voters and 76 per cent of NDP voters say Carney showed “strength by refusing to accept terms he believed were not in Canada’s interests.”
Canada is set to impose dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on the U.S. on Sept. 8, which are expected to focus on dairy, steel, pulp, appliances, paper and electronics and agricultural equipment, though the specifics are not yet clear.
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As of Monday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened additional tariffs on Canadian automobiles, car parts and steel, to kick in on Jan. 1, 2027, saying that “Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years.”
He also added that “Canada will be treated like a State no longer!”
There is also strong support for Canada’s counter-tariff response, with 62 per cent of surveyed Canadians calling the counter-tariffs “about right under the circumstances.”
In addition, 64 per cent believe “the country will emerge from this challenging time stronger as Canada reduces its dependence on the United States.”
The U.S. tariffs cover hundreds of items and include products such as sports equipment, plant seeds and essential oils, among others. Trump imposed them citing what he calls “unfair” treatment by Canada of U.S. dairy, autos and alcohol.
The 50 per cent American tariffs will impact roughly $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, the Prime Minister’s Office stated Saturday.
Nine in 10 (89 per cent) Canadians also say they “worry that this will cause inflation.”
Thirty-eight per cent are also “very concerned the trade war escalation will impact the Canadian economy.”
When announcing Canada’s retaliatory measures to the U.S. tariffs, Carney stated on Aug. 22 that this choice was made “reluctantly” since “some of these measures will raise costs and reduce choice for Canadians.”
“At the same time, we take this step confident that it is in the best interests of Canada. And that by rejecting a bad deal, by standing up for Canada, by focusing on what we can control, we will build Canada strong for all.”
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