Trudeau is less popular than Trump in Canada right now, according to our latest @abacusdataca poll.
Trudeau -38 (23% positive)
Trump -30 (26% positive)
Traditionally, a Canadian leader will create a rallying cry when defending national interests against a foreign leader seen as an antagonist.
But if Trudeau's negatives outweigh Trump's, it implies that many Canadians don't trust him to effectively defend the country or handle these confrontations.
In practical terms, this could weaken Trudeau's political standing.
With lower public confidence, his government may find it harder to garner domestic support for strong countermeasures, negotiate retaliatory tariffs, or exert diplomatic pressure. It also shows a lack of confidence in Trudeau's approach — perhaps Canadians are frustrated with the way the government has handled past conflicts or have become skeptical of its ability to protect Canadian economic interests.
Overall, this dynamic undermines what would normally be a national advantage for a Canadian prime minister facing a polarizing American figure like Donald Trump.
This could lead to more internal debate, less united fronts in the House of Representatives, and a more difficult political environment for any policy response to mitigate the threats posed by Trump's actions or rhetoric.
This likely explains why Poilievre doesn't feel compelled to join Team Canada.
#cdnpoli @abacusdataca
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