Trump in Office Has United Canadians on the Need to Reduce Our Dependence on US Trade
As his term as President begins, a new poll from INNOVATIVE finds that 81% are concerned with the impact Trump’s Presidency will have on the Canadian economy.
Two-thirds (68%) agree that Trump’s tariff threat has highlighted the need for Canada to increase the amount we export overseas and to reduce our economic dependence on the U.S.
These are some of the findings of an Innovative Research Group (INNOVATIVE) survey of 1,000 Canadians. The online survey was conducted between January 16th to 21st, 2025.
A majority of Canadians are closely following (30% very closely, 43% somewhat closely) the news about the relationship between Canada and the U.S. now that Donald J. Trump is in office, and many have concerns.
- 81% are concerned about the impact on the Canadian economy
- 63% are concerned about the impact on Canadian national security
- 62% are concerned that Donald Trump’s actions will have a negative personal impact on their life
- 62% are concerned about the potential rise of illegal migrants to Canada
Canadians are generally more likely to approve than disapprove of how their provincial governments are responding to issues resulting from Trump’s presidency but many are uncertain or ambivalent. Alberta and Ontario have both the highest approval AND disapproval.
While the Liberal party remains in the doldrums in terms of vote, 34% approve of how the federal government is responding to issues resulting from Trump’s presidency with only 27% disapproving.
Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party have only 25% approval on how they are responding to issues resulting from Trump’s presidency with 22% disapproval.
On tariffs, Canadians are greatly concerned (37% very concerned, 39% somewhat concerned) about the possibility of Trump imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian imports to the U.S.. But opinion varies on how the Canada government can best respond to the threat of tariffs.
- 68% agree that Trump’s tariff threat has highlighted the need for Canada to increase the amount we export overseas and to reduce our economic dependence on the U.S.
- 51% feel the only way to make a bully like Trump back down is to match his tariffs on Canadian products with our own tariffs on American products, even if that raises prices for Canadian consumers.
- 48% say that – since U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods will raise the cost of living in the States – Canada should be patient and wait for American consumers and businesses to put pressure on Trump to remove the tariffs.
Click here to read the full report!
