According to a poll from the Angus Reid Institute, Canadians remain resolute that, despite more threats of new tariffs, they don’t want Canada to buckle to the U.S. president’s demands. The survey shows only seven per cent of those polled support making concessions to get tariffs lifted, and 62 per cent want to see the country respond with counter tariffs if America does slap new ones on Canadian goods. “It’s very hard to come back from the rhetoric of annexation,” said Shachi Kurl, Angus Reid Institute president. “It’s very hard to come back from the rhetoric of 51st state.” The Trump administration has cited bans on U.S. liquor, along with Canadian tariffs on cars and its dairy management system, as irritants to reaching a trade deal. Premier Eby reiterated last week that B.C.’s booze ban is staying in place unless there’s a trade deal negotiated. His forestry minister, Ravi Parmar, agrees. “Drop the duties, drop the tariffs,” urged Parmar on Tuesday. “I have extended an invitation to the U.S. lumber coalition many times to meet with me, but I think they’re too scared to do so.” Despite the elbows up attitude from most of those polled, and the tough talk from the government, industries directly in the line of fire, like softwood lumber, say they might accept a less perfect truce than earlier in the fight after 18 months of this trade war. “I think the wait and see approach is starting to wane quite a bit amongst people,” said Brian Menzies, the head of the Independent Wood Possessors Association, on Monday. “They want to start seeing some action happening,” he added – referring to a deal being reached on softwood lumber between Canada and the U.S. Even if things do happen and a deal is reached, the majority of Canadians surveyed by Angus Reid remain skeptical Trump will keep his end of the bargain.
