Ask Onix
Shifting Canadian perceptions of the US
Over the past year, Canadian attitudes toward the United States have soured significantly under President Donald Trump's second term. A spring 2025 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 64% of Canadians now hold an unfavorable view of their southern neighbor-the highest level recorded in over two decades of polling. This marks a sharp reversal from pre-2025 sentiment, when most Canadians viewed the US positively.
Distrust of Trump himself runs even deeper. Approximately 77% of Canadians expressed little to no confidence in his leadership, according to the same survey. Nine out of ten respondents described him as "arrogant," while three-quarters called him "dangerous." An October poll by Angus Reid revealed that 46% of Canadians now consider the US an "enemy or potential threat," a higher percentage than for India (24%) or China (34%).
A more recent Leger poll this month found that one-third of Canadians believe the US could attempt to exert direct control over Canada in the future. The survey followed the US seizure of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and Trump's renewed remarks about acquiring Greenland.
Travel and trade disruptions
The US has long been the top travel destination for Canadians, but visits south of the border have dropped by over 25% in the past year, according to Statistics Canada. The decline has cost the American tourism industry an estimated $5.7 billion in lost spending for 2025, prompting some states, including California, to launch ad campaigns aimed at luring Canadians back.
Many Canadians are opting for domestic travel instead. The national tourism sector reported record revenues of C$59 billion ($42 billion) from May to August, a 6% increase over the same period last year. Others have turned to Mexico, with visits there rising 12% in the past year.
The trade boycott has extended to consumer goods. In response to US tariffs, most Canadian provinces pulled American alcohol from store shelves. US spirits exports to Canada fell 9% in the last quarter of 2025, while the value of liquor imports plummeted from $63.1 billion in late 2024 to just over $9.5 billion by the end of 2025.
Canadian consumers are also shifting away from US-made vehicles. For the first time, imports of Mexican cars surpassed those from the US in July, according to Statistics Canada. The federal government has reinforced this trend by prioritizing domestic suppliers in procurement, particularly in sectors like steel, lumber, and defense, where Canada is increasing spending to meet NATO commitments.
Political upheaval and a Liberal comeback
Before Trump's second term, Canada's Liberal Party appeared headed for a historic defeat in the upcoming federal election. Polls consistently showed the opposition Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, holding a commanding lead, with his focus on affordability resonating with voters.
The political landscape shifted dramatically in January when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned. His departure followed the high-profile resignation of his finance minister, who cited disagreements over Trump's policies. The move cleared the way for Mark Carney, a former central banker with political ambitions, to seek the Liberal leadership.
Carney campaigned on his economic expertise and ability to counter Trump's influence. His message struck a chord with voters concerned about Canadian sovereignty and economic stability. In the April election, the Liberals defied expectations, securing enough seats to form another government-just shy of a majority. The Conservatives suffered their fourth consecutive loss, and Poilievre now faces a leadership review later this month.
Recent polling shows Carney's Liberals maintaining a narrow lead over the Conservatives, though the gap has tightened.
Canada pivots to new trade partners
With US-Canada trade relations growing increasingly volatile, Canada has sought to strengthen ties with other nations. This week, Carney made his first visit to China as prime minister since 2017, announcing a deal to reduce tariffs and expand market access between the two countries. In Beijing, he described the agreement as a "strategic partnership" that would benefit both economies.
"We take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be,"
Prime Minister Mark Carney
The visit marked a notable shift in tone for Carney, who had previously called China Canada's top security threat during his campaign. When asked about human rights and national security concerns, he emphasized pragmatism over idealism.
Carney is also planning a trade mission to India in the coming weeks, signaling a thaw in relations that had been strained since Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil. Additionally, he has traveled to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and several European countries in search of new trade opportunities.
