As of April 2025, trade tensions are once again reshaping public discourse across North America. With new tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump, citizens in the United States, Canada and Mexico are assessing not just the economic impact, but also the broader implications for diplomacy and national identity. A tri-national survey conducted at the end of March 2025 reveals a complex picture of opinion and sentiment.
Trump’s Tariffs Viewed as Economic Risk — Especially Outside the U.S.
Canadians and Mexicans are overwhelmingly concerned about the economic fallout of U.S. tariffs. In Canada, 87% believe these tariffs will negatively impact their economy, a sentiment echoed by 84% of Mexicans. Americans are more divided on the issue. While 52% anticipate negative effects, 29% believe the tariffs will have a positive impact on their domestic economy, highlighting a perception gap between the U.S. and its trade partners.
In response to the tariffs, there is strong support in both Canada and Mexico for reciprocal action. 70% of Canadians and 62% of Mexicans favor a dollar-for-dollar response, backing the idea of imposing tariffs of equal value on U.S. imports.
Despite heightened tensions, support for a long-term trade agreement remains relatively strong, particularly in Mexico. 76% of Mexican respondents support entering into a new free trade agreement with the United States when the current one comes up for review. In contrast, support is more muted among Canadians and Americans, with just over half in each country in favor of such an agreement. This suggests that while frustration runs high, a path forward through structured cooperation is still seen as viable.
Trump Widely Disliked in Canada and Mexico — American Opinion is Divided
Public opinion toward former President Trump is sharply negative in Canada and Mexico. Trump is viewed unfavorably by 81% of Canadians and 76% of Mexicans. In the United States, the public remains more divided, with 48% holding an unfavorable opinion and 41% viewing him favorably. The survey also reveals that much of the frustration in Canada and Mexico is directed specifically at Trump rather than at the United States as a whole. 64% of Canadians and 59% of Mexicans said their discontent is focused on President Trump rather than the United States. Yet even with this distinction, a significant share—43% of Canadians and 35% of Mexicans—still view the United States as an enemy nation.
National Pride Fuels Shifts in Consumer Behavior
National pride remains a powerful undercurrent across all three countries, even amid trade turbulence. The vast majority of respondents in each nation express pride in being Canadian, American, or Mexican, reflecting a strong sense of identity and resilience. In Canada, that pride is increasingly influencing consumer habits. In fact, 74% of Canadians say they have recently increased their purchases of locally made Canadian products—indicating a shift that could influence both trade dynamics and domestic economic policy moving forward.
Methodology
This web survey on the economy was conducted from March 28 to 30, 2025, with 1,628 Canadians and 1,013 U.S. residents, and from March 26 to 31, 2025, with 1,003 Mexican residents, 18 years of age or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size yields a margin of error no greater than ±2.43%, (19 times out of 20) for the Canadian sample, ±3.08%, (19 times out of 20) for the American sample, and ±3.09%, (19 times out of 20) for the Mexican sample.
