NATIONAL PULSE – Half of us want to play hardball against Trump’s threats
On the president-elect’s musings over Canada as 51st U.S. state, a mere five per cent are interested
By ANGUS REID INSTITUTE
December 5, 2024 – From Truth Social posts deriding the U.S. trade deficit with Canada, to this country’s fentanyl production and the resources allocated to monitoring what was once hailed as the globe’s “longest undefended border”, to dinners at Mar-a-Lago, followed by yet more Truth Social posts, this time featuring the Maple Leaf and … the Matterhorn … it has been a month of whiplash in the world of Canada-U.S. relations.
The common denominator, of course, is American president-elect Donald Trump, and his threats of a whopping 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian exports into the U.S, tied to various complaints about this country’s actions, or perceived lacks thereof, on defence spending, border security and the drug trade.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds a high level of anxiety within the Canadian public when it comes to the threat and potential consequences. But Canadians stop short of asking the federal government to roll over and do entirely as Trump demands.
Overall, 86 per cent say they’re concerned (44% “very concerned”) about the threat of tariffs from Trump. Asked how they feel the Trudeau government should approach these threats, however, half of Canadians say they prefer a hardline approach – that is, even if the tariffs are ultimately implemented, they do not feel Canada should let itself be bullied. One-in-three would take a cautious approach to negotiations (33%), while one-in-10 would do whatever the U.S. demands to avoid being hit with the 25 per cent tax on goods. Notably, the vast majority of that latter group is comprised of those who would support the Conservative Party if an election were held.
After Trudeau made his first trip to visit with Trump in his second go round as president (though he won’t be inaugurated until January), Canadians are offering lower levels of confidence in his government than they did in 2017. At that time, 60 per cent said they had confidence in the Trudeau government to handle Trump. Now 42 per cent say the same.
One item spoken about by Trump and Trudeau, whether a joke or not, is not something Canadians are willing to entertain. After Trump quipped that Canada could simply become the 51st American state to avoid any negatively impacting U.S. policies, just five per cent of Canadians say they would like to see this country join the U.S.
More Key Findings:
- Canadians expect to see negative consequences from a Trump administration. Three-quarters (74%) expect the Canadian dollar to suffer, and Canada’s economy to worsen (75%). Nearly half (48%) say their own financial well-being will also take a hit.
- Asked about the Canada-U.S. border, more than half (54%) believe Canada needs to do more to increase security – one of Trump’s tariff-related demands. An identical number say that Canada needs to address the flow of drugs into the United States.
- A majority of Canadians (55%) would increase defense spending to two per cent or higher. While Canada has committed to doing this in the coming years, 51 per cent say it is moving too slowly.
- The Conservative Party continues to hold a commanding advantage in vote intention (43%) over the Liberals (20%) and NDP (20%).
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Damn right … boxing gloves on, lets go.
The only thing someone like trump can hear or see is a tough guy response to his bluster. Remember, dictators are his friends, and they like to fight back.
Canadas best response is to drop tariffs on the long list of American imports … just as Trudeaus government did during the lead up to the NAFTA negotiations last time. Remember Bic pens? They worked. State government and business badgered the trump govt to back down, because American jobs were being affected … and he did.
This time, its should be more products, with a higher % … we have no choice but to take this sandbox bully on, and if he quips about his funny little 51st state again … remind him that Canadians dont always say ‘sorry’ … sometimes we burn down White Houses instead.
Regarding that one-in-10 in the poll who would do whatever to avoid the 25 per cent tax and how that group is comprised of Conservative Party supporters … not surprised.
This is a party with a leader that entered into a closed party leader meeting, and blustered and politicked to them as if he was on camera, to the point where other leaders pointed it out with an eyeroll … then he came out and wore the conciliatory Canada team hat in his comments to media.
What is he even doing?
Dont conservative voters see the contradiction from what he says to what he does, and assume that when in power … he wont keep to his word on much?
Its all about pre-electioneering.
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False pride gets you in trouble it was British troops that burned the Whitehouse in 1814. Growing our economic vitality is the mani deterrence to potential threats. NAFTA was a bad policy for both USA and Canada. It destroyed our industrial base and it also affected the USA industrial base. Free traders will tell you that tariffs are bad for national economy, Not if you start from scratch building back what NAFTA outsourced.
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Technically, yes, it was the British who burned down the White house but they were, in effect, doing it on Canada’s behalf, since the war of 1812 was largely fought against American invasions of Canada.
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Mel, War of 1812 was actually a World War. The rise of Napoleon in Europe created alliances Pro British and Pro American and French. Europe was at war due to Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815) and his Continental System to starve Britain which included a trade embargo by Napoleon, against nations that traded with Britain somewhat like the present one against Russia. This is what brought the war to the Americas British ships attacking American traders.
Napoleon placed an embargo against trading with Britain. Russia refused to comply with the embargo so Napoleon with a European army some 16 nations invaded Russia. Somewhat like the proxy war over Ukraine today.
The War of 1812 influenced a movement for unity of the British colonies in British North America first for protection, second for administration and third for economic reasons.
Some 53 years later in 1867 we have the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia creating a Union called Canada
Historically War of 1812 was a colonial war of Britain. We in Canada use it as a feel-good victory where settlers participated like we did in the Boar War, WWI, Chanak, and even WWII. All these wars were to protect the Empire.
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Yep, just like we learned in school. (I like to tell the story about the day I was standing at Brock’s Monument at Queenston Heights when a guy with a heavy American accent said to his buddy, “We sure kicked Canadian butt.” Of course, I had to straighten him out.)
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Nationalism tends to lead to revisionism of history.
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It was wise of Trudeau to placate Trump. Go to Mar-a-Largo, laugh and have dinner with the man, and make promises to do more at the border. With Trump, it is all about “showmanship”. Now Trudeau is bumping up security at the border and Trump comes out the winner.
How much more security is put in place probably doesn’t matter to Trump.
Trump now looks the Strong Man, as Trudeau throws up in his mouth.
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