A new poll finds fewer than one in five Canadians support U.S. trade concessions as Ottawa races to avoid new 50% tariffs.
Most Canadians oppose giving in to U.S. demands
With a new round of U.S. tariffs looming, Canadians remain split on how Ottawa should respond.
Still, one option has little support.
Just 18% of Canadians say the country should offer concessions to the United States if that would remove the proposed tariffs. That could include ending provincial bans on American alcohol or easing limits on U.S. dairy imports.
The findings come from a new Abacus Data poll of 1,499 Canadians, conducted from Aug. 7 to 12.
Meanwhile, 36% favour counter-tariffs. Another 30% want Canada to keep negotiating without imposing new counter-tariffs.
Canadians expect a tough trade fight
The poll also shows that many Canadians are bracing for higher tariffs.
About 38% say the new U.S. tariffs are likely to hit Canada. At the same time, 40% believe there is a 50/50 chance they will take effect.
Only 10% think U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to change course before the deadline.
Another 12% say they are unsure what will happen.
So, while the outcome remains uncertain, Canadians appear to be preparing for a prolonged trade dispute.
Most expect economic damage
The concern goes beyond trade policy.
In fact, 70% of those surveyed say new U.S. tariffs would have a somewhat or very negative effect on the economy in their local area.
Moreover, 74% say the Canada-U.S. trade war has already affected their household finances.
That suggests the dispute is no longer viewed as a distant policy battle. Instead, many Canadians say they can already feel its effects at home.
Ottawa and Washington race toward a deal
Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and chief trade negotiator Janice Charette have been working with U.S. officials in Washington.
The talks continued through the weekend. LeBlanc also joined a virtual meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Sunday.
Ottawa says it wants a broad agreement that supports businesses, workers, farmers and families on both sides of the border.
However, the two countries still face major differences.
Officials told Global News that the sides were not close to signing a deal. They also said a significant gap remained between Ottawa and Washington.
Softwood lumber remains a major hurdle
One of the biggest sticking points is Canadian softwood lumber.
U.S. tariffs on the industry are already close to 45%. According to sources familiar with the talks, Washington has shown little interest in reducing them.
That issue has drawn strong criticism from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Poilievre said Sunday that any trade agreement should remove U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber.
He also argued that Canada should not make further concessions unless it receives something meaningful in return.
The deadline is fast approaching
The pressure on both sides is now rising.
Trump has threatened new 50% tariffs on a broad range of Canadian goods. The U.S. has pointed to several Canadian measures as reasons for the proposed tariffs.
Those include provincial and territorial boycotts of American alcohol, Canadian tariffs on U.S. vehicles and auto parts, and limits on American dairy imports under Canada’s supply management system.
As talks continue, Ottawa faces a difficult choice: keep negotiating, respond with counter-tariffs or consider concessions.
For now, the poll suggests one thing is clear. Most Canadians are not eager to give ground to Washington simply to make the tariffs disappear.
