Canadians favor tougher stance in U.S. trade negotiations

A new Leger poll indicates that a majority of Canadians favor a tougher stance in trade negotiations with the United States. Slightly more than half of the 1,622 respondents surveyed believe the federal government should take a hard line and refuse further concessions, while nearly one-third suggest Canada should remain flexible.

The polling comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods is scheduled to take effect. The survey results show that 38 per cent of Canadians view the current government approach to trade talks as passive, whereas 30 per cent consider it balanced.

There is broad support among respondents for stronger retaliatory measures against the U.S. These potential actions include taxes on electricity and oil and gas exports, as well as placing restrictions on U.S.-owned companies regarding Canadian government contracts. Because the poll was conducted online, the Canadian Research Insights Council notes that a margin of error cannot be assigned.