Canadians firmly reject Trump annexation talk amid tariff worry
New polling shows two-thirds of Canadians closely watching trade disputes, while support for joining the EU hits 50 per cent.
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Most Canadians are not buying President Donald Trump's annexation pitch, even as tariff tensions with the U.S. intensify ahead of crucial trade negotiations.
Only 20 per cent of Canadians would agree to initiate a formal process for Canada to become an American state, unchanged since February. The figure includes 32 per cent of Canadians aged 18-34 and 24 per cent of Albertans — the highest regional support.
Meanwhile, agreement with joining the European Union stands at 50 per cent, up from earlier polling this year.
Two-thirds of Canadians (68 per cent) are following tariff-related news very closely or moderately closely, up two points since mid-February. Nearly three in five (59 per cent) still want to request an independent dispute settlement panel under trade agreement terms.
This month, 82 per cent think American tariffs remain a threat to Canada, and half consider the United States a military threat — both up from earlier readings.
Canadian behaviour reflects the tension. More than half (55 per cent) have avoided purchasing U.S. goods when alternatives exist. About a third (32 per cent) have cancelled planned trips to the United States, and smaller shares have shunned American restaurant franchises (27 per cent) and entertainment options (25 per cent).
On trade diversification, more than seven in ten Canadians favour enhancing ties with the EU (76 per cent), the U.K. (76 per cent), Australia and New Zealand (74 per cent), Mexico (74 per cent), and Japan (71 per cent). Support for more trade with China stands at 59 per cent nationally, with British Columbia at 66 per cent — the highest among provinces.