Here’s a concise update on recent Canadians-US trade deal sentiment and polling.
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A May 2026 poll in Canada shows a significant portion of Canadians are skeptical about the likelihood of a swift trade deal with the United States, with many preferring a thorough negotiation even if it takes longer. This aligns with ongoing public caution about Trump-era policy shifts and enforcement of any new pact.[1]
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Polls from late 2025 to 2026 consistently indicate Canadians’ confidence in U.S. commitments under a potential new trade agreement is low, while a sizable minority remains hopeful that negotiations could yield tangible sectoral concessions (autos, steel, lumber) if talks resume substantively.[4][5]
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Public sentiment tends to favor patience for a better deal over a rushed agreement, reflecting concerns that a quick deal could be fragile or poorly aligned with Canada’s economic priorities. This pattern has recurred in multiple polls across 2025–2026.[8][1]
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The polling landscape shows cross-border trade opinion is volatile and often tied to broader political dynamics in the United States, tariff actions, and the status of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review. Expect further shifts if talks resume or if new U.S. tariff policies emerge.[5][4][8]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest public polling sources more precisely (titles, dates, pollsters) and summarize how the questions were framed (e.g., “likelihood of a deal within six months” vs. “importance of job protection vs. tariff relief”). I can also offer a quick chart comparing recent poll results by year and pollster.
Sources
Opposition to free trade is at a record high in Canada, and nearly twice as many Americans as Canadi
www.joc.comMore respondents were disappointed with the deal than pleased with it, meaning a presumptive plus for the Liberals could be a liability
macleans.caCanadians are split on whether a new trade deal with the United States should come quickly, and the canada us trade deal poll shows 66% do not trust Donald Trump to abide by one. Abacus Data shared the results exclusively with the Toronto Star, and the poll suggests many Canadians would rather wait …
www.el-balad.comCanadians have little faith a trade deal with the US will be reached in the next six months, after US President Donald Trump blew up talks over an anti-tariff ad campaign launched by the province of Ontario.
www.bloomberg.comMost Americans — including Republicans — continue to view Canada positively in economic and trade matters even as U.S. President Donald Trump directs anger at their northern neighbour.
www.bnnbloomberg.caAlmost two in five Canadians say recent court rulings in the U.S., and the ongoing legal battle over President Donald Trump's tariffs, have made them feel less confident in the future of trade relations, a new poll suggests.
www.ctvnews.caOTTAWA — A new national poll finds that most Canadians see securing a new trade deal with the U.S. as crucial for domestic jobs and economic growth. The poll, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI), shows that cross-border relations is a top-of-mind concern for Canadians, as the national economy falters under the weight of tariffs . … A formal review of Canada’s trilateral trade deal with the U.S. and Mexico is set for next summer. The Ipsos poll was conducted...
unpublished.caBy ANGUS REID INSTITUTE October 10, 2025 – New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds that in contrast with U.S. President Donald Trump’s sentiment, that Canadians will be “very happy”…
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