trade talks – New Misryoum coverage finds Canadians’ confidence in negotiators has grown, even as U.S. pressure and talks uncertainty continue.
A growing sense that Canada’s negotiators can deliver is emerging at a moment when trade tensions are still intensifying across the border.
Misryoum reports that Canadians’ confidence in Prime Minister Mark Carney and the team handling U.S.-Canada trade has increased. despite a lack of clear progress toward a new deal.. The survey shows that 51% of Canadians describe themselves as confident, including 17% who say they are very confident, while 42% express doubt.
For many, this confidence is tied more to perceived competence and strength of the negotiating team than to assumptions about how the U.S. side will behave. That distinction matters in a negotiation climate where rhetoric can change quickly.
Meanwhile, Canada’s preferred posture is not one of softening demands.. Misryoum notes that three-in-five Canadians want a “hard” approach. including holding the line on difficult concessions. even as officials trade sharp words in the lead-up to required reviews tied to the North American trade framework.
In this context, the polling also highlights a mismatch between political narratives and public sentiment. Most Canadians reject the idea that Carney is stalling negotiations for domestic advantage, suggesting that the public is weighing the strategy as negotiation work rather than theatre.
Still, there is a clear signal of risk awareness.. Misryoum reports that a large share of Canadians say it would be bad for the country if the U.S.. ended the trade agreement unilaterally, even if they struggle to translate that threat into personal impact.. The uncertainty itself is part of what makes the stakes feel heavy.
Canadians are also divided on what a “good enough” outcome looks like. Half say Canada should accept a deal with a similar level of tariffs, while a quarter say a tariff-free arrangement is the only option worth considering. The public appears to want results, but not at any cost.
Finally. Misryoum finds preference for how talks should be structured as well: Canadians lean toward maintaining a trilateral approach rather than pursuing separate negotiations with only the U.S.. and Mexico.. This matters because the roadmap for any agreement may shape what Canadians believe is realistic. and therefore what they are willing to accept.
If the next steps stay unclear, public expectations could become a pressure point. But for now, the larger story Misryoum is seeing is confidence: more Canadians believe Carney’s team can navigate the confrontation and produce a deal, even with the timeline uncertain and the rhetoric loud.