Respondents favour diplomacy over a trade dispute, but consumer choices tell a different story
A new survey by Nanos Research has found that most Canadians would hesitate to buy US goods if a proposed 25% tariff on Canadian exports by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is implemented.
The tariff is part of Trump’s plan to pressure Canada and Mexico to address drug trafficking and border migration issues.
Specifically, the survey revealed that 65% of Canadians would be less likely to purchase US-made products if the tariff were imposed. Of those, 51% said they would be “less likely,” while 14% said they would be “somewhat less likely.”
On the other hand, 12% of respondents said they would be more likely or somewhat more likely to buy U.S. goods, with 19% reporting no change in their buying habits. 4% were unsure.
When asked how Canada should respond to such a tariff, nearly half of Canadians surveyed said they would prefer diplomacy, favouring negotiations to lift the US tariffs on Canadian goods. Meanwhile, 29% supported immediate retaliation with tariffs on US imports and 19% urged a cautious approach to avoid a trade war.
Only 2% suggested escalating the situation further.
The survey also explored opinions on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in light of Trump’s proposed tariff. Nearly half of respondents said Canada should expedite a review of the agreement, while 37% favoured waiting for the scheduled review in 2026. 9% were unsure and 6% supported allowing the agreement to lapse and ending free trade among the three countries.
