Posthaste: Trump might think Canada is nasty, but most Americans don’t

During a speech in Las Vegas this month, U.S. President Donald Trump used the adjective "nasty" five times to describe Canada. Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

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Donald Trump might think Canada is nasty, but most Americans don’t share his view, finds a new poll.

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Data from the Angus Reid Institute out this week show that 79 per cent of the Americans surveyed have an “overwhelming positive” view of their northern neighbours.

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During a speech in Las Vegas this month, President Trump used the adjective “nasty” five times to describe Canada.

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“Canada’s nasty. They are. They’re nasty,” he said. “I love the people, but they’re nasty. Nasty leadership.”

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Relations between the two countries have become increasingly tense in Trump’s second term as the U.S. President slapped Canada with tariffs and threatened annexation.

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The latest barrage of duties is set to land in just over week after Trump signed proclamations for 50 per cent tariffs on hundreds of Canadian products.

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The poll may express some of Canadians’ frustration about this, as a resounding 79 per cent of those polled said they view Trump unfavourably, with 69 per cent saying their view is “very” unfavourable.

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The majority of Canadians, 48 per cent, also view Americans in general unfavourably though a significant minority, 45 per cent, view them positively.

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Before Trump returned to office, few Canadians believed the U.S. was threat, but that situation has changed. Now the majority of Canadians believe that Ottawa should approach the U.S. with caution as a potential threat or even an enemy, said Angus Reid.

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Most Americans, 78 per cent, on the other hand, feel their government should be approaching Canada on friendly terms as a valued partner.

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Even 69 per cent of self-described MAGA Republicans view Canadians positively, compared with 17 per cent who don’t.

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Why the big gap in perceptions? One reason is that Americans aren’t paying attention, said Angus Reid. The trade dispute is a big deal in Canada, but not so much in the United States.

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While the majority of Canadians, 54 per cent, said they are following the latest tariff threats “closely,” only 23 per cent of Americans are doing so. More than that — 25 per cent — hadn’t even heard about them.

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Americans, who have heard about them, are more likely to oppose the tariffs against Canada than support them, but opinion is divided along party lines.

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Over 70 per cent of MAGA Republicans support Trump’s latest tariffs, while non-MAGA Republicans are split with 34 per cent supporting and 40 per cent opposing.

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Less ambiguity among Democrats — 89 per cent are firmly against.

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BMO Capital Markets

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Federal finances are looking better — at least for the first two months of the 2026/27 fiscal year. Ottawa’s budget deficit narrowed in April/May to a combined $1.4 billion compared with $9.9 billion a year ago.