Frosty Relations: Canada and its growing discontent with the US

Polling shows Canadian opinions of the United States are bad

For well over a century, Canada and the United States have maintained a strong political and economic partnership unlike any other country in the world. However, the return of Donald Trump to the presidency has led to frosty Canadian opinions of their northern neighbor.

A relationship in ruins

According to polling from the Environics Institute for Survey Research that was published in mid-June 2025, Canadian public sentiment toward the US plummeted over the 8 months prior to the polling, and negative views have reached levels similar to those seen during Trump’s first term. 

Unfavorable views of America

Canadians were more than twice as likely now to hold an unfavorable view of the United States than a favorable one, according to the public opinion firm, which was equal to what Canadians thought about their southern neighbor back in 2020.   

The worst opinions on record

“It’s really the worst collective opinion of the U.S. that we have recorded,” Environics Institute Senior Associate Keith Neuman told the Toronto Star. “By more than a two-to-one margin, Canadians’ opinions are negative rather than positive.”

The numbers by the polling

Favorable views of the United States plummeted to 29% while 65% of those polled noted they saw the US as unfavorable. This change occurred rather rapidly since in 2024, 47% held a favorable view of the United States and 45% an unfavorable view. 

The shift happened quickly

“What is different this time is the speed in which the shift has taken place: Canadians’ dislike of the US shot up in a matter of a few months since the new administration took office in Washington in January,” the Environics Institute explained. 

Trump was probably to blame

It took three years for Canadian views about the United States to fall to the figures the Environics Institute uncovered. The market research firm noted, while opinions of the US are changing, this major shift has likely been inspired by feelings about President Trump. 

Reflecting a dislike of Donald

“Canadians may feel negative about the USA for a number of reasons, but it most clearly reflects a dislike of Donald Trump,” the Environics Institute explained. 

A huge majority disapprove of Trump

Dislike of Trump in Canada is high, with nearly one in eight (78%) disapproving of Trump as President, while only 12% approve of him. This may have a lot to do with how Trump is changing the US-Canada relationship. 

Trump upended the US-Canada relationship

“The second Trump administration has quickly upended this historic relationship, through punitive tariffs on Canadian industry, intrusive border restrictions, and repeated talk of absorbing Canada as the US 51st state,” the Environics Institute explained. 

Trump’s sovereignty threats

When it comes to concerns regarding Trump’s talk about Canada becoming the 51st state, it was clear the country had little desire to join the United States. 83% said they strongly disagreed that Canada and the US should unite as one country. 

Canada will remain independent

Another 70% of those polled said it was “very likely” that Canada would remain independent from the United States, while another 16% said it was “somewhat likely”. Just 10% said it was “not likely” according to the data. 

A striking finding

“Such strong public confidence in enduring Canadian sovereignty is striking given the economic and political threats coming from the Trump administration,” the Environics Institute noted.

The situation had affected travel

The political tensions at the moment have also affected the travel choices Canadians are making. Few are currently willing to travel to the United States in ways different from Trump’s first term in office. 

Many have changed travel plans

In 2017, only 18% of those polled said they had changed their plans to travel to the US. That number nearly doubled in 2025, with 35% saying they changed their travel plans.