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Canadians divided on U.S. relationship as trade tensions escalate, new poll finds

By 98.9 myFM News/Oldies 99.7 staff Jun 5, 2025 | 1:32 PM

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As trade tensions continue to rise, a new poll suggests Canadians are split on whether they view the United States as an ally, enemy, or simply a neutral partner.

The Leger poll, conducted online between May 30 and June 1 with over 1,500 respondents, shows a divided national sentiment. Almost one-third of Canadians said they see the U.S. as a neutral country, 27 per cent view it as an ally, and 26 per cent consider the United States an enemy—a striking reflection of uncertainty amid growing trade disputes.

The poll, while not carrying a margin of error due to its online format, offers a compelling snapshot of how Canadians are reacting to mounting economic tensions, including newly announced tariffs by the United States and calls from Canadian industry leaders for swift retaliation.

Demographic and political divides further underscore the polarized opinions:

  • Men were more likely to see the U.S. as an ally (about 33%), compared to only one in five women.

  • Nearly 30% of women categorized the U.S. as an enemy, compared to 22% of men.

  • Older Canadians (55+) were significantly more likely to view the U.S. as an enemy than their younger counterparts.

The regional breakdown reveals further divisions:

  • Albertans were the most likely to label the U.S. as an ally.

  • Ontarians and British Columbians leaned more toward seeing the U.S. as an enemy.

Perhaps most striking are the results along political party lines:

  • 44 per cent of Conservative voters consider the U.S. an ally, compared to just 17 per cent of Liberal and 12 per cent of NDP supporters.

  • Meanwhile, 41 per cent of NDP supporters and 36 per cent of Liberal supporters say they see the U.S. as an enemy, compared to 16 per cent of Conservative voters.

As the trade dispute unfolds—with higher tariffs and political posturing from both sides of the border—Canadian public opinion continues to evolve. The results of this poll may foreshadow how international relations and trade policies could influence voter sentiment in the next federal election.