High approval ratings for the U.S. are scarce among Canadians under Trump's presidency, statistics reveal
In a recent survey conducted by Gallup in May and June of 2025, it has been revealed that Canadian sentiment towards U.S. leadership is at an all-time low, with only about 15% approving of it. This disapproval rate of around 79% aligns closely with Canadians’ disapproval of Russia’s leadership and is worse than their view of China’s leadership.
The survey, which is part of the Gallup World Poll that started in 2005 and measures the attitudes, behavior, and well-being of people across more than 140 countries, also shows a longer-term trend since 2017, except for a spike in 2021, that only a minority of Canadians approve of the U.S. administration each year. This significant decline in approval reflects ongoing diplomatic and economic tensions, including steep tariffs and rhetoric from former President Trump suggesting Canada could become the "51st state," which have strained Canada-U.S. relations through 2025.
The timing of these surveys and related data (early August) also show Canadians remain uneasy about U.S. global leadership and trade posture. Additional context from Abacus Data polling indicates that while Canadians’ political opinions and federal government views remain stable, their impressions of the U.S. remain bleak at about 14% positive. Furthermore, cross-border interactions like Canadian visits to the U.S. have dropped sharply (by about 37% in July 2025 compared to 2024), reflecting the strained relationship's tangible effects on tourism and economic ties.
The Ipsos poll, conducted exclusively for Global News in June, found roughly three-quarters of Canadians intend to avoid travel to the U.S., which is up 10% since February. The poll also found nearly three-quarters of Canadians are avoiding buying goods that are made in the U.S., and are buying more Canadian-made goods wherever possible. However, the Ipsos poll did not provide data on Canadians' approval rating for the U.S. leadership in 2025.
In a positive note, the Gallup poll shows Canadians have a 59% approval rating for their own leadership in 2025, up 19% from the previous year. This change in leadership may provide a fresh perspective and opportunity to improve Canada-U.S. relations.
Mark Carney, the new Canadian prime minister, replacing Justin Trudeau, is currently working on a new trade deal with the U.S., and he will only accept a deal that is "good for Canada." Amidst the ongoing trade war uncertainty and the imminent shutdown threat faced by Air Canada, Carney's commitment to securing a fair deal for Canada is crucial for the future of Canada-U.S. relations.
References:
- Gallup Poll: Canadians' Approval of U.S. Leadership Hits Record Low
- Ipsos Poll: Canadians' Avoidance of U.S.-Made Goods Reaches an All-Time High
- Gallup World Poll 2025: Canada-U.S. Relations at a Low Point
- Abacus Data: Canadians' Views of U.S. Remain Negative
- Canadian Tourism and Economic Ties Suffer as Relations with U.S. Strain
- The Gallup World Poll in 2025 reveals that Canadian approval of U.S. leadership is at an all-time low, reflecting ongoing diplomatic and economic tensions.
- The political unrest and economic policies of the U.S. have led to a significant decline in Canadian approval of the American administration, with Canadians increasingly avoiding American-made goods and travel to the U.S.
