Survey: 50% of Americans, 87% of Canadians oppose tariffs
Consumers in the United States and Canada alike are opposed to tariffs, with many believing they will damage the economy in the near and distant future.
New survey data from NeilsenIQ reveals that 50% of Americans are opposed to tariffs on imported goods, while 27% are in favor and 23% are unsure. North of the border, the overwhelming majority of Canadians (87%) say they are not in favor of tariffs, with 8% unsure and only 4% supporting them.
The majority of consumers in the two counties believe the implementation of tariffs will have a negative effect on their respective economies. Six-in-10 (61%) American consumers said they think tariffs will hurt the economy for the rest of the year, and 56% believe the negative impact will be longer lasting, hurting the economy over the next three years. In Canada, 86% of consumers believe the negative impact will be immediate, and 79% think it will impact the economy for the next three years to come.
The NeilsenIQ poll comes following the Trump Administration’s announcement of a series of sweeping tariffs on all imported goods from dozens of countries, including Canada, on April 2. On April 9, he paused the levies for a 90-day period, with the exception of those imposed on China, which he raised to 125%.
When asked how they will change their behavior in the face of price increases, 36% of Americans and 62% of Canadians said they plan to buy more domestically-made products. Thirty-five percent of Americans and 28% of Canadians said they plan to delay a major purchase, such as a home, car, appliance or piece of furniture.
[READ MORE: Trump reportedly to meet with Walmart, other major retailers about tariffs]
At the grocery store, both Americans and Canadians say they are worried about tariffs increasing the price of fresh produce, dairy, poultry and eggs.
NielsenIQ’s survey featured 4,963 U.S.consumers (both English and Spanish speaking) and 5,003 Canada consumers (both English and French speaking). It was fielded between March 25-31, 2025.
