U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a National Day of Prayer event held in the White House Rose Garden on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Washington. The Canadian Press
A new survey shows more Americans now believe Canada is the United States' most important ally. This shift comes even though former U.S. President Donald Trump has often accused Canada of taking unfair advantage of the U.S.
In the March survey, 12% of Americans chose Canada as the top U.S. ally. That’s double the number from 2023, which was only 6%. The increase shows a growing appreciation for Canada among the American public.
U.K. Slips in Ally Rankings
While Canada gained support, fewer Americans chose the United Kingdom as their top ally. Last year, 22% named the U.K. as most important, but that number has now dropped to 18%. Still, the U.K. remains the top choice overall, followed closely by Canada.
The survey asked over 3,600 adults across the United States between March 24 and 30. It included online and phone responses and was adjusted to reflect U.S. demographics.
Canada Viewed Favorably by Most Americans
In another part of the poll, 74% of people said they have a favorable opinion of Canada. This puts Canada among the top-rated countries in the survey. However, political beliefs seem to shape how people view Canada.
Among Republicans, only 61% see Canada in a positive light. But among Democrats, the number jumps to 87%. This shows that political leanings continue to influence how people view other countries.
Japan Takes the Top Spot
When asked about other countries, 77% of Americans had a positive view of Japan, making it the most favored country in the poll. Canada and Italy tied at 74%, with the U.K. close behind at 70%.
These numbers suggest that while Japan leads in overall favorability, Canada is quickly catching up in both respect and recognition from American citizens.
Carney Visit Still Unconfirmed
Amid this shift in opinion, Trump recently said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Washington in the coming days. However, Carney’s office has not confirmed this visit. The news has sparked interest, but no official date or meeting details have been shared yet.
