What Canadians and Americans Think
In a world of rising conflict and economic strain, North American citizens are questioning, debating… and speaking up. Thanks to the latest Leger surveys—possibly with your input—we now have deeper insights into public opinion on global issues.
Ukraine & The Middle East: Shifting views
As of June 2025:
- 58% of Canadians want their government to increase support for Ukraine
- Only 42% of Americans agree the U.S. should do more
On the Israel–Palestine conflict, 61% of Canadians and 54% of Americans want their countries to promote an immediate ceasefire
The takeaway? Canadians lean more toward humanitarian and diplomatic actions, while Americans show more restraint, particularly regarding military involvement.
Read the full article: Global Conflicts – Ukraine & Middle East
Tariffs: Eroding trust
Another tension point: U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
- Over 60% of Canadians say U.S. tariff decisions reduce their trust in bilateral trade relations
- Recent U.S. court rulings upholding controversial tariff measures have deepened that distrust
- Only 28% believe Canada has strong tools to defend its position in trade disputes
Read the full article: Tariffs: Court Rulings Diminish Canadians’ Confidence in U.S. Trade Relations
Why your voice matters
These findings exist thanks to your participation, your feedback, your voice.
As outlined in our article “Insights From the LEO Community on Key Issues Shaping 2025”, your input helps shape public conversation, guide leaders, and reflect the diversity of thought across North America.
Thank you for being part of LEO. Keep speaking up—your voice truly makes an impact.
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We’re interested in your thoughts on recent global conflicts and economic challenges. Share your opinions in the comments to add to the discussion.
All comments must remain respectful and must not contain inappropriate, offensive, defamatory content, or anything that goes against the terms of use; otherwise, they may not be approved or may be removed by LEO.
94 responses to “Conflicts, Tariffs and Tensions”
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I totally disagree with our current administration. And I’ve seen videos from people from Canada and they say they support us citizens. I don’t think we are liked by many countries right now.
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Canada should never give in the the Thrump demands.
We are an honest and reliable country and we’ll remain that way. -
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The main economic challenge and global conflict is Donald trump.
No country should abide by his rules. All countries should come together and there will be no tariffs. The world will be a better place to live in.
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In the World today War should be abolished. All bombs and weapons destroyed and abolished . Along with making them. The new focus should be towards peace and working together in harmony. With money saved from War can be used to solve hunger and homelessness one step at a time but we will get there, Its time Governments do what they are supposed to do help its citizens and promote peace. That money can also be used for securites to economies . jobs and The Country and Citizens. Some will say this will never happen its a dream. We can all dream cant we. To make it a reality thou and how much the world would change by leading not with force or threats but with what is Righteousness and Prosperity
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Global conflicts, from the Middle East to Eastern Europe, cause immense suffering, displacing millions and fueling generational trauma. Canadians, though distant, share a universal desire for peace, yearning to end senseless death and destruction. However, an ongoing economic crisis marked by inflation, housing unaffordability, and stagnant wages demands that Canada prioritize its citizens’ needs. While humanitarian aid reflects Canada’s values, it must be balanced to avoid neglecting domestic struggles. Achieving peace requires a nuanced approach, blending diplomacy with action against regimes that perpetuate violence and oppression.
Canada’s economic challenges, including families struggling with necessities and youth locked out of the housing market, underscore the need for pragmatic resource allocation. Humanitarian aid, though vital, should be limited, transparent, and focused on high-impact outcomes like rebuilding infrastructure or fostering self-sufficiency in conflict zones. This ensures aid aligns with Canada’s interests while addressing domestic priorities.
Ending conflicts demands tailored strategies. Diplomacy is effective where dialogue can resolve tensions, and Canada’s neutral reputation makes it a strong mediator. Supporting peacebuilding initiatives prevents escalation without overextending resources. However, regimes that oppress women, suppress dissent, or destabilize regions require stronger measures—sanctions, support for democratic movements, or, as a last resort, military action. Empowering women through education and advocacy is both a moral and strategic necessity to build stable societies.
Canada must adopt a principled yet practical approach: transparent aid allocation, targeted programs, and robust diplomacy to prevent conflicts. Addressing root causes like poverty and inequality fosters lasting peace, while confronting harmful regimes ensures accountability. By empowering marginalized groups, Canada can promote global stability while prioritizing its citizens. This balance of compassion and pragmatism strengthens Canada’s role as a global leader and supports a prosperous future at home. -
I feel the United States needs to take care of the families, our veterans and seniors in poverty here in our country first.
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what I think about this world is that we need to as one as God said we are all equal in everyway why can’t we all just get along and compromise to coexist in this world because how we to show our children and their children children on we we got through this nation and how it grow with understanding and knowing or right and to show them what is to be free to not have to have so many rules and regulations we have to go by and I agree to way of things but to have all agree to equal in this world we call our home .
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I really believe that if things continue to go like this, we are basically allowing them to destroy our lives and country as we knew them. Unfortunately we have a lot of work to do, to get us in a better place, and it will absolutely take as many of us as possible to get it done. I know that we can do it, but will we get our lazy procrastinating entitled selves up and actually get it done????
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I am absolutely shocked and appalled at the actions of the Trump administration. I feel that a systematic destruction of democracy is underway. The Trump administration’s actions and values are totally the opposite of mine. I value honesty, equality, integrity, empathy, peace and believe that every life matters and all people should be treated equally. The outright bigotry, lies, manipulation of facts, attempts to control the media and higher education, museaum exhibits…the list goes on and on. If I could I would leave this country right now. I am ashamed to be an American.
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I have two citizenship between the US and Canada and I standby the US currently. Open communication is key and maybe that is something that should be dealt with moving forward from both countries.
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Although it will bea very costly endeavour, Canada should continue to explore and inplement a more balanced trade relationshipTHE WEAKNESSES HAVE EXISTED with other countries. The USA has underscored the weaknesses in the Canadian economy due to tariffs. The weaknesses have existed for generations. It is time for Canada to be truly independent and sovereign. Implementation will take 15 years but will be well worth the effort.
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I don’t think Canada will ever be able to trust and have faith in our relationship with the U. S. again..
Trump has ruined our trust with the U. S so who is to say the next president or the ones after that won’t treat Canada the same way as Trump is.
I believe we really need to find trade with other countries, especially countries, and not expect what we had in the past with the U. S. to ever return . -
We need a strong alliance with Canada here in the USA to protect each other from terrorists and illegal drug trafficking.
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I think Trump is doing too much, and it is messing up the economy. No president has forced tariffs on other nations like Trump has. I feel like it is more important things that NEED TO BE DONE IN THE United States other than raising the price of tariffs. Fix us first, then work on other countries., oh I forgot he ant even fixing the United States. What Im I thinking?
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I think Canada should find middle ground to balance the issues between the two countries because of the relationship between them
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We need to take care of our own first. But we should try to help resolve conflict with other countries if we can.
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It is time for Canada to be truly independent and sovereign. Implementation will take 15 years but will be well worth the effort.
The challenge with this very blanket statement is the Liberal government
Is leading us the consumer in the opposite direction…. No one country is truly independent! -
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I think US wants an alliance with Canada in times of need but doesn’t want to trust us on the regular bases.
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I believe traffis are hurting the average person in the globe and urgent people in the representative of government to reconsider other alternatives to address issue that have
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I completely agree with the Canadian perspective on these issues. Recent polls show that Canadian trust in the United States has plummeted, with only about one-third of Canadians now holding a favorable view of the U.S., while nearly two-thirds see it unfavorably. This dramatic shift is tied directly to the current administration’s aggressive trade and foreign policy decisions, which have eroded bilateral goodwill. Tariffs on Canadian goods have fueled economic backlash and resentment—more than half of Canadians say they feel angry or even betrayed, and consumer boycotts have taken hold. Travel from Canada to the U.S. has dropped sharply, with car trips down by more than a third and air travel down by over a quarter compared to last year. In response, Canadians are turning to domestic products, with over 70% now preferring locally made goods. On global conflicts, Canadians overwhelmingly lean toward humanitarian and diplomatic solutions, such as calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East and maintaining steady support for Ukraine. By contrast, Americans remain more divided, with many expressing skepticism or fatigue over further involvement. Confidence in U.S. leadership is also waning—nearly 60% of Americans doubt the president’s ability to make wise decisions on the Russia-Ukraine war. Altogether, the administration’s reckless trade policies, strained foreign policy stance, and inability to inspire trust have made it clear why Canadians view the United States so negatively—and I stand with Canadians in believing this administration is failing badly on both the global stage and in its relationship with its closest ally.
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Canada should definitely remain independent. America’s economy is strong, but its value to its people is less than that. The Canadian people feel safe in these lands. What surprises me is that Canada, with such a large territory, is so dependent on the USA. The government must find alternatives to become even stronger.
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Simply put, the US is currently being run by a man who will do far more damage than good. He will hurt their reputation for decades to come, provided anyone is left to remember. His lack of tact, knowledge and intelligence combined with his grossly misplaced arrogance make him a dangerous leader. Not just for them, but for the rest of the world, as well.
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I feel like as citizens of either nation we shouldnt distrust or see one another in a negative light. It’s a policy decision that as citizens most of us will not benefit from. I don’t think any average people from anywhere really want to have this kind of tension. Or want other regular people like them pay more for imports or vice-versa fork out extra money for imports they use/trust. This shouldn’t be a reason for division (its ultimately a decision influenced by a small group of elites that will greatly benefit. Its a very pro corporate decision to please boosters) sadly its something that we both are going to bear the cost of but we should be looking at one another as fellows who can find a better solution and establish ways to improve the lives of regular people. Work together globally toward having more agency. I think thats ultimately what let’s us have a say to disavow untrade decisions and demand more of government leadership to end and broker peace for military conflicts
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I think the US needs to value the people more – All the people. Right now they are showing a lack of human decency and a disregard for 80% of the people that live in the country.
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Canada is the 2nd largest Country in the world, we by no means should have to rely on the U.S or any other Country for anything! We need to put an end to our incredibly insain, improperly liberal run Govt, and take care of Canadians. We have the resources to thrive on our own, and what we don’t have….we definitely can build. Politicians work for their own pockets and do not give a damn about us. Trump and Carney both came from the same sandbox.
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In this world today, there is so much evil going on, but there is so much good going on as well. We can never have full peace. There is never been peace from the time that Angel Lucifer fell from Grace. It would be nice to have peace, but that will never happen. We have to make the best of it, but we need to make our leaders accountable and they need to do what is right, but that will never happen As long as there are individuals that want something for nothing, On the issue of Ukraine, they need to settle their differences. We don’t need to be funding their war efforts because they (Russia and Ukraine) can’t get their shit together in the Middle East. That’s the same thing With the Middle East, they have fought amongst each other since Cane and Abel. There will never be full piece anywhere And individuals can stop taking advantage of each other
Tariffs – it’s a bargaining chip, but from what I have seen you at the United States has been taken advantage of in the past. Other countries have also taken advantage of their individuals, but as citizens of the United States, we need to make ourselves aware of what companies are using sweatshops around the world to produce products so that they are economical for our country, and we need to stop using them and purchasing them
At least under the Trump administration their house been some housekeeping and thanks to Elon Musk fans that were being allocated to frivolous things around the world that even in the Bible is wrong, but where are those monies going now and why are we still paying so much in taxes when so much money has already been found. There is so much that could be done And so much has been done already now let’s see if our leaders will do it
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The tariffs we are facing and the way that they are affecting our people is sad. So many are already struggling with hardships and in some cases this makes it harder.
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Global conflicts have been in effect since the United States of America established its independence from England. For the countries that are allies the tariffs seem to cause minimum risk between countries. The tariffs seem to be a smart way to go on the countries that we are not allies with but previously had dependent on that for certain resources. Those resources can be produced in the US however in the past certain parties dealt otherwise. It appears president Trump is trying to make the US self-sufficient. I feel this is important to the US and its people.
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Global conflicts aren’t just political—they affect economies, trade, and everyday life. Rising prices, unemployment, and instability show how connected we all are. Diplomacy and cooperation are the only real solutions for long-term stability.
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It sad that there are so many bad vibes and conflicts between Canada and the US.
Both countries were the best together as friends in the whole world, before Thrump came along. I pray we can be loyal to each other as before. -
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Honestly, there needs to be more discussion and rhyme or reasoning in regards to tariffs. I suppose we should have regular middle class Americans on a board possibility so they are relatable.
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I think everyone is being greedy. All wars and tariffs should stop. Trump needs to be a president and not a business man. He needs to think of what this is doing around the globe. Including the US citizens
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From the time of learning about wars/conflicts it has always been. Born in the mid sixties there have been a few. They may be different in their way, just the same It was, it is and it will be again and again. We live in and evolving world where no one will be happy and agreeable at one time. We are born, we grow and learn to be individuals. To have our own minds. We may think like some but not others.
We learn at an early age that nothing in life is free. One way or other every thing has a price. What is a tarrif? An extra tax? Here today maybe gone tomorrow. People just need to think more. What is worth all the hate and discontent….money? I guess for some. Not for me -
The tariffs have been good and bad so far. Canada has many under utilized resources in the whole country. We must have an administration that will start helping Canada become more self sufficient and increase the exports that we manufacture.
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I think there’s a lot of decisions, etc that are talked about behind closed doors that the public doesn’t know about when it comes to major political decisions.
And a lot of what we do think we know comes from fake news. -
I just wish that the u.s and Canada could come together… We are so much stronger together, and Canada isn’t bad at all.. I just wanna do away with the war and help people in poverty to get into better situations. I don’t believe there should be any homelessness or hunger ever
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I really don’t pay attention to what’s going on I’m to busy focusing on what’s happening around me
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I haven’t been too affected by the tariffs, but I can see many are at odds with each other over this. A shame our countries are so divided within themselves. I don’t like the unrest.
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I don’t take sides but long as it don’t effect me or nobody personally it’s not nothing to you could do but run yo blood pressure up
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Not issue for real for me it’s a lot going on in this world I just don’t stick my nose in the business
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I totally disagree with everything Trump is doing and what he stands for. Why he thinks that the United States has the right to arbitrarily say he is taking over another sovereign nation is beside me. I support Canada completely.
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I dont take sides as long as it does not effect me personally or my family, its nothing to stress over that I feel.
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I am horrified at our (US) president’s and administration’s actions on almost every issue (not just tariffs)!
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We just focus in our economy crisis
We have crisis in the homes, employment, jobs ، health services
Houses and houses and houses
inflation, inflation,inflation
Lack of freedom and speeches. -
I didn’t realize there were serious differences between the US and Canada. I thought we were good neighbors. I fo not feel the US should support the Ukraine.
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In today’s world, America is getting into a new age of potilical shift in what everyone thought they knew about the Us. America is also taking a different stance on world view. This is causing a lot of uncertainty all over the world and many non democratic countries are now looking at the Us and stating that the Us is not so different than their own countries when it come to a president taking up more power than what the constitution allowed in the past
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I honestly think that the US needs to be more worried about problems they have within their county rather than be the world police putting out other people’s fires. I do think that US and Canada need to remain allies as their relationship is important, especially being bordering countries.
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The free trade agreement should’ve been respected. The U.S. needs other countries too—no one grows stronger by standing alone
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It’s about time tariffs are balanced! The UN puts so many tariffs on US goods like automobiles that they are too expensive for their citizens to purchase! Thats not fair trade! Trump is trying to level the playing field around the world!
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On the Ukraine and the Middle East current situations I pray that they come to an immediate cessation of hostilities (active and supportive) on all parties and then a just and equitable solution be enacted. I hold the same opinion on all other world-wide conflicts.
On tariffs I believe that they can be just, depending on the particulars.
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I think they should chill out an end all the drama of the war that’s trying to take place a live for God this country make peace not all this other junk !! Back in the day it was nothing like it is now !!! U never know what day could be ur last with how this wiorld is now this day an time
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I do not think the US should be involved in other countries war and should take care of their US citizens.
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I see the big picture as to why there are these things but I’m afraid that it really is affecting everything. Higher prices grrrreat
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I think America needs to take care of its own people before we send money or help to other countries. Many Americans are struggling that our government says they can’t help us but can send millions to help other countries. I think that is so wrong.
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i don’t really know what to think because i don’t think info is clear. it’s concerning to me to think about the future but i try to be positive..
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One of the major drivers of current economic uncertainty and global trade tensions has been policies centered on tariffs and protectionism. When trade becomes politicized, it creates instability for international partners and undermines global cooperation. Instead of countries competing through restrictions and unilateral rules, there is an opportunity for nations to work together on fair, open, and mutually beneficial trade agreements. Reducing tariffs and focusing on collaboration could help build a more stable, prosperous, and peaceful world economy.
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If you dont stand, you’ll fall. Division, differences, stances, sides form when people fall upon one side of that old hard line to tow, or the other. Either you’re in, or you’re square. And when shit hits the fan just hope you’ve joined forces with the effort you would give your big toe for. And always know if you’re on the wrong side going down the wrong way on the wrong side of the road. Indecision is a decision. The defenseless need a defense. And in the end, it all comes back to that. It’s sickening, really, how cowardly the masses are (we) (us), how we cant conceive success over the evil world leaders… and their disgusting schemes, and operations all particularly portrayed to divert our eyes from their rings. Iykyk, and if you dont, you’re lying to yourself.
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I worry about war and tariffs that could impact the United States. I voted for President Trump, but I don’t agree with some things he has done.
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i don’t think it’s that bad long as it does not effect me personally its nothing to stress over.
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– i really don’t pick and choose sides , im ok with everything that’s going on as long as it doesn’t effect what i have going on in my life rigjt now , i wish we could deselect trump and hey things back in order the correct way
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It’s the everyday life. Rising prices, unemployment, and instability show how connected we all are. Diplomacy and cooperation are the only real solutions for long-term stability. We should all come together and figure out the next steps as a nation and not jump trumps and his minions … we are the people
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The state of our Country these days is a sad reflection on our current administration. All the chaos they are causing, the uncertainty, the prices, the diminishment of our stance in the world as a steady leader and protector of Democracy. The tariffs are one more layer of dishonesty and distrust especially with countries that we export to that buy on smaller scales that larger companies ( there aren’t that many) but we are hurting our trading partners as well as hurting ourselves
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During COVID we had increases on products due to transportation and logistics issues. The tariffs are only adding to the cost of all goods once again whether they are subject to tariffs or not. The tariffs have given a blank check to all manufacturers of goods and services in the United States to add to their bottom lines and increase the price of their products whether they have to import or not. Many people are not aware of where products come from. Everything and I mean everything has gone up two or three times since they announced the beginning of tariffs.
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I feel conflicted due to not having enough information, I feel there is a lot of conflicting information
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I don’t pick sides if it’s not personally effecting my life and way of living it doesn’t concern me nor do I wish to know about it
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I don’t understand the inner workings of our leaders minds. Why can we all not live a peaceful existence? It is so easy for me personally to do this.
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I think taking a stand for global peace and trade with respect according to internationally regulated rules sets Canada as a standard we can be proud of. Devolving to threats and coercion is a huge step backwards and does nothing to foster positive international relations.
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I don’t take sides in matters that don’t directly impact my life; if it doesn’t affect how I live, I’m not interested in getting involved.
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Tariffs will only increase prices in THE USA not in Canada because we are not importing much from the US anymore.
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I agree with Trump’s beliefs. However, I love Canada and it’s people. Trump is a great president. He, I feel has put tariffs on Canada because he feels they need to pay more. However, I believe he feels the same as me. Canada is wonderful and so are the people. Just remember guys he is just out to help the USA, that is his job. Try not to take it personal. Because it is not individually based. This is pointed strictly pointed at the leaders in Canada. I stand by President Trumps decision. However. I LOVE ALL CANADIANS….
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