Majority of Americans, Canadians Disagree With Trump's Tariffs: Poll

A new Politico/Public First poll released Wednesday indicates a majority of U.S. and Canadian adults disagree with President Trump’s decision to increase tariffs on Canadian goods.

The survey found 83 percent of Canadians and 56 percent of Americans believe the increased import taxes were “wrong.” The poll, conducted September 13, 15, also shows growing resistance to Trump’s tariffs among his own base. Among self-identified MAGA Trump voters, only 38 percent supported the tariffs, while 40 percent believed the move was justified but should have been delayed until after the midterms.

Overall, 26 percent of Americans said Trump was right to impose the new Canadian tariffs, compared with 56 percent who said he was wrong. Half of Americans, including more than a third of Trump voters from 2024, do not think tariffs are worth it if they drive up prices. After trade talks between the U.S. and Canada collapsed in late August, Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian products.

This action was taken under a previously unused provision of the Tariff Act of 1930. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by increasing counter-tariffs on American steel and aluminum and introducing new duties on other U.S. goods, set to go into effect on September 29. Trump has argued the trade war is necessary for border security and to create “fair” and reciprocal trade.

He posted on Truth Social Wednesday that “Canada is destroying itself by allowing millions and millions of people into the Country, essentially unchecked and unvetted.” Since returning to power in January 2025, Trump has sought to impose massive tariffs on imports from Canada and other trading partners. His initial tariffs were invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court, which held the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) does not authorize tariffs, as tariffs are a congressional power.