NATIONAL PULSE – Canadians hold fast on elbows-up approach to Trump
(Image: Pixabay.com)
By ANGUS REID INSTITUTE
July 27, 2026 – Canadians are experiencing a “déjà vu all over again” moment as President Donald Trump announces tariffs on Canadian goods. This time, however, Trump is relying on an obscure, nearly 100-year-old provision of the Tariff Act of 1930to target a broader swath of the Canadian economy. Despite this, Canadians’ long-established resolve as to how to respond to the latest salvo is unwavering.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds fewer than one-in-10 Canadians (7%) saying their government should capitulate to U.S. demands in order to avoid tariffs. Indeed, a strong majority would respond with counter-tariffs, though they’re divided over matching the U.S. charges dollar for dollar (34%) or responding in a more limited fashion (28%).
Confidence in Prime Minister Mark Carney and his negotiating team has dropped since spring. Currently, two-in-five (43%) say they believe Carney can deliver a good deal for Canada with the U.S.; half (51%) said the same in April. The prime minister has been subject in recent days to criticism over his handling of trade-adjacent issues, including the cost and revenue-sharing details of the Gordie Howe Bridge.
Now, half (50%) are not confident. That group is split between saying their lack of confidence is because Carney and his government are poorly qualified to handle Trump (26%) and because instead the Trump administration is impossible to predict (24%).
That lack of reliability is a key factor looming over everything in this 18-month rollercoaster that does not appear close to stopping. Even if Canada and the U.S. arrive at the exit of the ride with a deal in hand there is little trust (14%) from Canadians that Trump will stick to any terms struck, compared to a significant amount of distrust (75%).
Consumer dynamics are also at play, with Canadians expressing little interest in buying more American products should Ottawa allow them onto domestic shelves, as White House negotiators have demanded. More than three-in-five say they would “probably” or “definitely” not purchase dairy (70%), eggs (73%), or alcohol (60%) imported from the U.S., regardless.
More Key Findings:
- Canadians are split between wanting their government to stand firm on supply management in trade negotiations (42%) and believing instead it should be used as a bargaining chip (44%) either as a last resort (28%) or immediately because Canada should scrap the policy anyways (16%).
- Most (61%) oppose Canada conceding more market access to American dairy products. Half (48%) say they don’t want Canada to return American alcohol to provincially controlled liquor stores.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
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