Even if the consequences are dire, most survey respondents want to play hardball
As the first full week of trading gets underway since Trump’s tariff announcement threw out the global trade playbook, Canadians are expecting tough times to last throughout the presidency.
Although Canada was not hit with additional tariffs last week, the uncertainty and negative impact of existing levies and the radiated turmoil from other trading nations is likely to intensify and cause Canadians significant pain, but they are ready to take a tough stance.
A survey from the Angus Reid Institute reveals that 39% of respondents think the current Canada-US trade war will last the full term of Trump’s presidency, 12% say more than a year, while another 16% are not sure. The remainder think they will last anything from six months to a year (16%), two to six months (12%), or one to two months (4%).
Although eight in ten respondents are concerned about the impact, more than six in ten think Canada should play hardball, even if there is a recession, noting that Canada should not be bullied. This position has increased from 49% in December. Less than three in ten think Canada should try to negotiate for lower tariffs and just 3% think Ottawa should give into whatever the US wants (5% if there’s a recession).
Although half of poll participants are concerned about losing their job as a result of the trade war, just 6% say they expect this to be the case. Lower paid workers (sub-$50K) are more likely to be concerned about tariffs having an impact on their own job security.
The backlash against the US is clear with 76% of respondents saying they are boycotting American goods, 86% buying more Canadian products, and 61% indicating that they have cancelled or delayed trips to the US.
