Less than 20% of Canadians believe that Canada should make “concessions” to the United States, a poll showed. Trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. have entered the final stretch: there are only two days left until midweek, when new tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump are set to be introduced.
As Canadian officials try to reach a trade deal with their American counterparts, Canadians are divided on how to respond to U.S. trade aggression, according to the results of a Abacus Data poll released on Monday. Trump has promised to impose new large-scale 50% tariffs on a wide range of goods in response to what the U.S. calls “discriminatory” measures, including boycotts of American alcohol by Canadian provinces. These boycotts were a response to the trade war initiated by the U.S. at the beginning of 2025.
Approximately equal numbers of Canadians believe that Canada should either respond with counter-tariffs (36%) or continue negotiations without imposing counter-tariffs (30%), if the new round of Trump’s tariffs takes effect on Wednesday. At the same time, fewer than one in five (18%) said that Canada should “offer concessions to the U.S., such as lifting bans on American alcohol and easing restrictions on dairy products, if it leads to the cancellation of tariffs.”
Canadians are also divided on whether Trump will stick to his course on tariffs. Only 10% of the 1,499 Canadians surveyed, who participated in the poll from August 7 to 12, said that Trump is likely to change his course on tariffs by midweek. Another 1% believes that the tariffs “will definitely not be introduced.” About 12% said they were unsure whether the tariffs would be introduced.
Four in ten (40%) said there is a “50/50 chance” that Canada could face new large-scale tariffs from Trump, while a similar number (38%) believe they are likely to hit Canada. Canadians are also preparing for the impact of the tariffs: 70% said they would have either a “somewhat negative” or “very negative” impact on the local economy. Nearly three in four (74%) said the trade war with the U.S. has already affected their family finances.
Reasons for new tariffs and negotiations
Last month, Trump signed three executive orders, each providing separate justification for the new tariffs: provincial and territorial boycotts of American alcohol products, Canadian tariffs in response to American cars and auto parts, and quotas on imports of American dairy products under Canada’s supply management system. At the beginning of 2025, several Canadian provinces removed American alcohol from their shelves in response to Trump’s trade war and his threats to make Canada the “51st state.”
Meanwhile, Canada’s Minister of Trade with the U.S., Dominic LeBlanc, is in Washington along with Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charrette. LeBlanc and Charrette worked over the weekend with American officials, including during a virtual meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Sunday. LeBlanc’s office stated that Canadian officials “are seeking to reach a comprehensive agreement that will benefit businesses, workers, farmers, and families on both sides of the border.”
Officials told Global News on Friday that Ottawa and Washington “are not close to signing a trade deal” and that there remains “a significant gap” between the two sides. Global News agreed not to disclose the sources, as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the trade negotiations.
Lumber becomes a stumbling block
The issue of easing conditions for the Canadian softwood lumber industry has become a stumbling block in the negotiations. Two sources reported that the American side is not interested in reducing tariffs on softwood lumber, which currently stand at about 45%.
Earlier on Sunday, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said that tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber should be eliminated as part of any trade deal. “It is unacceptable for U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber to exist,” he said during a Sunday press conference. “It is time for Mark Carney to keep his promise that he will negotiate a beneficial deal and eliminate tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. No more concessions if Canada gets nothing in return.”
Source: GlobalNews
