Canadians doubt Trudeau is best leader to handle a second Trump term

Canadians are skeptical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ability to negotiate with Donald Trump if the former U.S. president returns to power, a new poll found.

Only 28 per cent named Trudeau as the political leader who would do the best job of dealing with Trump, even though the Canadian prime minister has experience — his government managed the renegotiation of the North American trade deal during Trump’s first term. 

Almost 40 per cent said Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who’s known for his combative public persona, could better handle Trump. A further 25 per cent didn’t see any difference between the two leaders, according to the poll conducted by Nanos Research Group for Bloomberg News.

“The incumbent prime minister usually has an advantage over challengers on issues like this,” said Nik Nanos, the firm’s chief data scientist. “It is not the case currently.”