A new survey by Leger reveals that Canadians and Mexicans share similar negative views of U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs, with both countries supporting a dollar-for-dollar response in levies against the U.S. The survey, conducted between March 26 and March 31, involved 1,628 Canadians, 1,013 Americans, and 1,003 Mexicans. The results were published in the “Three Amigos Survey,” which explores the relationship between the three nations.
The survey shows that the majority of Canadians (81%) and Mexicans (76%) hold an unfavorable opinion of Trump, while less than half (48%) of Americans share a negative view of him. Additionally, the survey found that most Canadians (64%) and Mexicans (59%) direct their frustration primarily at Trump rather than the U.S. itself.
However, the survey also revealed rising tensions between the U.S. and its neighbors. Nearly half of Canadians (43%) now see the U.S. as an “enemy country,” a view that ranks second only to Russia (60%). For Mexicans, 35% consider the U.S. their top enemy, surpassing China and Russia. From a Canadian and Mexican perspective, the U.S. is no longer seen as an ally, which marks a dramatic shift. In Mexico, the U.S. is viewed more negatively than China or Russia, which is striking.
The survey also examined political figures. Nearly half of Canadians (46%) have a favorable view of Liberal leader Mark Carney, though most Americans (66%) and Mexicans (63%) are unfamiliar with him. In Canada, tariffs emerged as the most pressing issue for 38% of respondents, far ahead of inflation (20%) and housing affordability (10%). In Mexico, 18% of respondents also highlighted tariffs as a key concern, behind crime and safety (31%) and drug-related violence (19%).
In terms of economic impact, most Canadians (87%) and Mexicans (84%) believe Trump’s tariffs are hurting their economies, while only 52% of Americans feel the same. In contrast, just 1% of Americans view Canada’s trade practices as the primary issue facing the U.S., with inflation (27%) being the biggest concern.
When asked about retaliatory measures, nearly 70% of Canadians support a dollar-for-dollar response to U.S. tariffs, with 41% strongly in favor. Similarly, 62% of Mexicans favor an equal response to the tariffs. Both nations have responded by reducing their purchases of American goods, with 72% of Canadians and 70% of Mexicans buying fewer American products, both in stores and online.
On the topic of future trade agreements, a majority of Mexicans (76%) express support for negotiating a new free trade deal with the U.S. when the current one is up for review next year. However, only 52% of Canadians share this view. In the U.S., 53% of respondents favor renewing a deal with Canada and Mexico. Despite the anger and feelings of betrayal, people in Mexico and Canada are saying, ‘Yes, we still need to negotiate a new deal,’ highlighting the importance of the U.S. as a trading partner.
