A recent survey indicates that former President Donald Trump's persistent criticism of Canada may be altering how Republicans view the neighboring country. According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center in early 2026, 45% of Republicans now hold an unfavorable view of Canada, up from 30% in 2020.
Trump has repeatedly targeted Canada over trade disputes, particularly regarding dairy tariffs and lumber imports, and has made disparaging remarks about Canadian leadership. These comments appear to resonate with his base, as the poll shows a 15-point increase in negative sentiment among Republicans over six years.
In contrast, Democrats and independents have maintained largely positive views of Canada, with 78% and 60% favorable ratings respectively. The shift among Republicans marks a notable change in cross-border relations, as Canada has traditionally been viewed as a close ally by both parties.
Experts suggest that the trend could have implications for future U.S.-Canada cooperation on issues like trade, security, and climate policy. The poll surveyed 5,000 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of 1.5 percentage points.
