A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals significant negative shifts in Canadian public opinion towards the United States and President Donald Trump.
According to this survey, which polled 1,024 Canadian adults between February 19 and April 15, 2025, only 34% of Canadians now express a favorable view of the United States, marking a dramatic 20-percentage point decrease from the previous year.
This decline represents the lowest level of favorable opinion towards the U.S. recorded by Pew since it began tracking the sentiment in 2002, mirroring the figure noted in 2020 during Trump’s first term.
Meanwhile, a staggering 64% of Canadians report an unfavorable opinion of the U.S., which includes 39% who view it very unfavorably.
This represents the highest recorded level of negativity towards the U.S. in the past two decades of polling.
Further analysis shows that opinions vary based on ideological leanings; only 17% of those on the left hold favorable views, while 32% of those in the center and 52% of those on the right express similar sentiments.
Notably, all ideological groups have seen about a 15-percentage point drop in favorable views since last year.
Regarding President Donald Trump, a mere 22% of Canadians express confidence in his ability to manage global affairs.
This is a stark contrast to the 52% who felt confident in then-President Joe Biden a year prior.
Confidence in Trump is at an unprecedented low, akin to levels recorded during much of his first term.
Nine-in-ten Canadians characterize Trump as arrogant, while about 76% deem him dangerous, a significant increase from the perceptions of Biden in 2021.
Only 40% see Trump as a strong leader, a notable decline from the perception of Biden, who garnered 63% positive acknowledgment in that regard.
When assessing Trump’s capability to handle key global issues, an overwhelming 74% of Canadians lack confidence in his approach to global economic challenges.
The context of this survey aligns with President Trump’s repeated threats of tariffs against Canada, China, and Mexico, amidst ongoing economic ties where Canada exports roughly 75% of its goods to the U.S.
In terms of the U.S.-Canada relationship, the survey indicates a paradox.
While 55% of Canadians identify the U.S. as their most important ally, a larger 59% consider it their biggest threat.
Many Canadians perceive the U.S. as a significant threat to their economy—77% express this sentiment—and 53% regard it as a major threat to national security.
This dual perception roots itself in recent political rhetoric from Trump suggesting Canada could become the ’51st state,’ which likely contributes to the increased anxiety regarding U.S. intentions.
Interestingly, the perception of the U.S. as the world’s leading economy has risen, with 54% of Canadians acknowledging the U.S. in this regard, the highest figure since 2009.
As the poll reveals, this perspective contrasts with opinions about China, which only 31% view as the top economy.
The increase in positive views toward the U.S. in terms of economic strength is driven mainly by Canadians on the ideological right.
Currently, around 62% of right-leaning Canadians recognize the U.S. as the leading economic power, showing a marked increase from the 44% recorded in 2023.
The ideological left, however, remains less optimistic, which reflects growing divisions in economic perspectives.
On the topic of trade relationships, the survey highlights that two-thirds of Canadians prioritize strong economic ties with the U.S. over China.
However, this signifies a 20-point decline from 2021 when 87% preferred the U.S. as the primary economic partner.
Across political ideologies, differences are becoming more pronounced; approximately 58% of leftist Canadians prefer ties with the U.S., in contrast to 76% of those on the right.
Overall, the current survey illustrates a complex landscape of Canadian attitudes toward the U.S. and its president, revealing deep-seated anxieties while also recognizing economic interdependencies that cannot be overlooked.
image source from：pewresearch
