Canadians say U.S. is a greater security threat than China, Russia
Three-quarters of Canadian respondents view the U.S. as an economic threat, and 53% see it as a national security threat.
Canadians viewing the U.S. as a top threat has tripled since 2019, amidst President Donald Trump's global trade war and facetious annexation talks.
A Pew Research Center survey shows 55% of Canadians still view the U.S. as their most important ally, but 59% now see it as a threat, a significant rise from 20% in 2019.
“Canada sort of stands out as one place where views of the U.S. have changed significantly and substantially,” said Janell Fetterolf, a senior researcher at the centre.
NOW: President-elect Trump reveals Trudeau warned him that Canada would be "obliterated" by his 25% tariff threat. Trump dismisses Canada's energy wealth and trade relations. Doubles down on his 'economic' annexation by offering us to "be the 51st state." @rebelnews_ca pic.twitter.com/BeMH0BIXLZ
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) January 10, 2025
Pew's 25-country poll found the U.S. was the top ally in 12 nations, but the primary threat in eight, including neighbours Canada and Mexico.
Trump often targeted Canada with tariffs and taunts, calling Justin Trudeau "governor" and expressing a desire to make Canada a U.S. state.
A tense phone exchange last November 25 between Trudeau and Trump failed to resolve tensions, despite a well-received dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
Trudeau later suggested Trump’s interest in absorbing Canada as the “51st state” should be taken seriously. However, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Canada-U.S. Trade dismissed the comment as unserious teasing.
Trump received a 7% bump in positive impressions at the time, according to Abacus Data, leading Trudeau in positive impressions among Canadians by three percentage points.
President Trump is asked why the US and Canada haven't reached a trade deal, telling reporters he and PM Carney are "going to see if we can get to the bottom of it today."
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) June 16, 2025
Trump reiterates he's "a tariff person," adding Carney has proposed a "very good" but "more complex" idea. pic.twitter.com/mKqITzWxDX
However, Trump imposed duties on Canada and Mexico March 12, citing fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. He reversed these tariffs for goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement days later.
Both countries face crippling U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles, citing national security. The president also threatened Canada with copper tariffs yesterday.
It appears Trump utilized tariff threats as a bargaining chip to secure fair access to foreign markets for the U.S. and incentivize company onshoring.
Three-quarters of Canadian respondents view the U.S. as an economic threat, and 53% see it as a national security threat — more than China (17%) and Russia (11%).
From January 8 to April 26, Pew Research surveyed 28,333 adults across 24 countries, excluding the United States. They also surveyed 3,605 Americans from March 24 to March 30. Surveys were conducted by phone, online, and in person.
Alex Dhaliwal
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Alex Dhaliwal is a Political Science graduate from the University of Calgary. He has actively written on relevant Canadian issues with several prominent interviews under his belt.
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COMMENTS
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Mark Price commented 2025-07-10 16:23:53 -0400I don’t see the US as a threat to Canada. I see the US as the greatest blessing to Canada. Canada needs to become the 51st state to gain the massive benefits. Some of which are American citizenship, free speech, our money on par with the US dollar, free Golden Dome, erase the border and being able to cross as easily as a province and state, etc.
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Dale Gardner commented 2025-07-10 13:14:10 -0400I agree with folks below.
The US is our only hope to save ourselves from the Carney global tyranny.
How people can be so stupid to think voting the Liberals back in is good, makes no sense, FOOLS! -
Wayne Currie commented 2025-07-10 12:50:49 -0400Ironically, I view the US as potential liberators. Many westerners are weary of living under the jackboot of tyranny.
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Bernhard Jatzeck commented 2025-07-09 20:26:21 -0400I recall PET carrying on in the same way some 50 years ago. Meanwhile, he, too, was cuddling up to China.
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Bruce Atchison commented 2025-07-09 19:53:10 -0400No, Liberals are the threat to Canada’s security. Look at how things got worse under their rule. It’s obvious that socialist ideas NEVER succeed in bettering the citizens. Thanks to Marx Carney, people see Trump as a villain rather than a saviour of his and our nations.
