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Most Canadians now see US as ‘greatest threat’ to their country, survey reveals

A total of 59 percent of Canadians think the U.S. is their country's greatest threat, according to a new survey

Rachel Dobkin
in New York
Wednesday 09 July 2025 08:18 BST
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Trump says Canada tariffs would go if it became 51st state

Most Canadians now see the United States as the “greatest threat” to their country, a survey has revealed.

The Pew Research Center found 59 percent of Canadians think the U.S. is their country's greatest threat, above Russia, North Korea and Iran. But 55 percent of Canadians view the U.S as their country’s “most important ally.”

The data was collected from January 8 to April 26 and the poll surveyed 28,333 people in 25 nations around the world.

President Donald Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canada in February and has suggested making Canada the “51st State” since before he took office.

Most Canadians now see the United States as the “greatest threat” to their country, a survey has revealed
Most Canadians now see the United States as the “greatest threat” to their country, a survey has revealed (Middle East Images)
President Donald Trump has suggested making Canada the “51st State” since before he took office
President Donald Trump has suggested making Canada the “51st State” since before he took office (Middle East Images)
The Pew Research Center found 59 percent of Canadians think the U.S. is their country's greatest threat, while 55 percent see it as their country’s ‘most important ally.’
The Pew Research Center found 59 percent of Canadians think the U.S. is their country's greatest threat, while 55 percent see it as their country’s ‘most important ally.’ (Middle East Images)

A majority of Mexicans, 68 percent, also see the U.S. as their country’s greatest threat, while 37 percent see it as their country’s most important ally.

Trump railed against both Mexico and Canada when he was president-elect, claiming the two countries had allowed thousands of people to enter the U.S. illegally and sparking a tariff war.

A significant number of people from Indonesia, 40 percent, South Africa, 35 percent, and Turkey, 30 percent, also see the U.S. as the greatest global threat to their countries.

But there are several countries whose people, for the most part, see the U.S. as a crucial ally.

An overwhelming majority of Israelis, 95 percent, South Koreans, 89 percent, and Japanese people, 78 percent, see the U.S. as their country’s most important ally.

In Europe, 51 percent of people from the United Kingdom, 43 percent of Polish people and 42 percent of Italians also see the U.S. as their country’s most important ally.

Two of America’s biggest adversaries, Russia and China, are also seen as a critical threat around the world.

Russia is seen as the greatest threat to Poland by 81 percent of its population, to Sweden by 77 percent of its population and to Germany by 59 percent of its population.

A total of 52 percent of Australians, 53 percent of Japanese people and 42 percent of Americans see China as the greatest threat to their country.

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