Poll finds Canadians oppose concessions amid new tariff threats

Canadians remain broadly opposed to making concessions to the United States to remove tariffs, according to a new Angus Reid Institute poll. Seven per cent of respondents supported concessions, while 62 per cent said Canada should impose counter-tariffs if Washington levies new duties on Canadian goods.

Institute president Shachi Kurl said rhetoric about annexation and Canada becoming a 51st state has made it difficult to rebuild trust.

The Trump administration has cited provincial bans on U.S. liquor, Canadian auto tariffs and Canada’s dairy supply-management system as obstacles to a trade deal. Eby said last week that B.C.’s liquor ban will remain unless an agreement is reached. Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar also called for duties and tariffs to be dropped, saying he has repeatedly invited the U.S. lumber coalition to meet.

After 18 months of the trade dispute, industries such as softwood lumber may be more prepared to accept a less-than-ideal agreement, said Brian Menzies of the Independent Wood Possessors Association. He said patience with a wait-and-see approach is fading, though the poll found many Canadians would remain skeptical that Trump would honour any deal.