The United States recently marked its 250th anniversary, but its relationship with Canada has faced significant strain, as indicated by a new poll reflecting growing Canadian skepticism about U.S. reliability. This deterioration of trust has particularly intensified since the second term of former U.S. President Donald Trump, despite the U.S. remaining one of Canada’s key allies.

According to a Pew Research poll, the perception of the U.S. as a reliable partner among Canadians has plummeted to just 35 percent, a stark decline from over 80 percent in 2022. Additionally, only 33 percent of Canadians currently view the U.S. favorably, down from 34 percent in 2025 and a considerable decrease from 54 percent in 2024.

Canadians have expressed frustration over U.S. policies, describing them as aggressive and confrontational. Judy Gray, a resident of Calgary, articulated that the current leadership in the U.S. exhibits chaos, which has further complicated the relationship. Another Calgarian, Camila Bayardo, pointed out that tariffs have led to increased grocery prices, heavily affecting Canadian market dynamics due to the prevalence of U.S. brands in Canadian stores.

Andy Knight, a professor of international relations at the University of Alberta, remarked on the diminishing importance of the U.S. as a hegemonic power. He acknowledged that while the U.S. remains an ally, it has lost its status as a trustworthy partner, creating new challenges for Canada. This situation is particularly concerning given the critical trade relationship, with Canada being the U.S.'s second-largest trading partner.

The trade dynamics have taken a turn, especially concerning the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The Trump administration has opted not to renew the agreement, leading to significant uncertainty in trade negotiations. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has sought clarification from U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the future structure of discussions, highlighting that both Canada and Mexico had hoped for the agreement to remain intact for another 16 years. However, the U.S. has expressed a desire for changes, claiming the current version has served its purpose.

Knight further illustrated the complexities of the Canada-U.S. relationship, recalling former Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy’s analogy, which described the relationship as akin to “making love to a porcupine”—challenging but potentially rewarding. This analogy reflects the increased difficulties Canada faces under the current U.S. administration.

As Canadians recently celebrated their 159th birthday, there is a growing sentiment that the Canadian identity and its global positioning are strengthening. Knight emphasized the importance for Canada to adapt to a shifting world order, noting that while geography remains constant, the reliability of the U.S. as a partner is in question. If the U.S. fails to maintain its role as a dependable ally, Canada may need to consider diversifying its relationships with other nations to ensure its interests are protected.

With files from The Canadian Press