Most Canadians prefer 'hard approach' in trade talks with Trump: survey

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OTTAWA -- Nearly two-thirds of Canadians wanted their government to take a "hard approach" in the trade talks with US President Donald Trump, according to a new survey released Tuesday.

The data from Canadian non-profit Angus Reid Institute found 63 percent of Canadians think Canada should take a "hard approach" rather than a "soft one," noting that these data were taken both before and after Trump's announcement of the new 35 percent tariff rate.

"For Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Canadian negotiating team, the approach appears to center on keeping their head down rather than their elbows up. Canadians appear to want more push back," said the institute.

According to the institute, a "hard" approach is defined as refusing difficult concessions even if it means worsening of trade relations with the United States, while a "soft" approach is to make difficult concessions to keep a good relationship with Canada's biggest trading partner.

At the same time, Canadians split over whether Carney can deliver a deal. A total of 46 percent of Canadians said they have confidence in Carney and the Canadian negotiating team, while 45 percent expressed doubt.

Only 11 percent of Canadians said that Trump will act in good faith and seek a negotiation wherein both parties benefit. More than 84 percent of those surveyed said Trump is a bad faith actor, revealed the survey.