‘I seriously feel like a child of divorce’: What Trump-voting Canada-U.S. dual citizens are making of the American tariffs and ‘51st state’ threats

Over the past weeks, Canadians from coast to coast have been consumed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to impose devastating tariffs on Canada, citing border security concerns and trade disadvantages, and his repeated comments about Canada becoming America’s “51st state.”

These provocations have received universal condemnation from Canada’s major party leaders and provincial premiers, who’ve all declared that Canada will never join the U.S.

Several Canadians have reportedly canceled vacations to the U.S. and boycotted American goods. Others have opted to boo the American national anthem at sporting events.

A recent Abacus Data poll found that over 40 percent of Canadians are doing everything they can to avoid buying American products, while an Ipsos poll found 68 percent of Canadians think less of the U.S. because of Trump’s actions. Another poll found that 75 percent of Canadian sports fans believe booing the anthem is warranted.

Amidst all this, there’s one group that hasn’t received much attention: Canada-U.S. dual citizens who voted for Trump.

According to Statistics Canada, 684,500 Canadians living here also hold U.S. citizenship. That is in addition to the some 800,000 Canadians living in the U.S.

What do they make of Trump’s tariffs on Canada? How do they feel about his annexation remarks? And what’s their reaction to Canadians’ new profound anger against America?

The Hub spoke with dual citizens on both sides of the border who voted for Trump in 2024 to find out.

Mixed views on tariffs 

Georganne Burke, a dual citizen born in New York who now splits her time between Ottawa and Florida, who worked on Trump’s 2024 campaign and serves as the Canadian chapter lead for Republicans Overseas, believes Canadian politicians bear the blame for the current situation.

“That’s how Trump negotiates. But rather than respond in an appropriate way, [Canadians and their elected officials] are lighting their hair on fire. They’re blinded by their hatred for Trump,” she told The Hub.

Burke also said that Trudeau triggered Trump by assembling a negotiating team he should have known would irk the president.

“We don’t have a functioning federal government and they’re sending down people that Trump and his people cannot stand. The Trump administration doesn’t like this current government and the people from it. [Canadians] have done everything one can do wrong in handling the situation. ”

Burke also believes some of Trump’s grievances against Canada are justified.

“The guy is right. We need to up our defence and pay our obligation to NATO. We need to improve our border security…there were almost twice as many terror threats across the U.S. border from Canada as from Mexico. The third thing is the drug problem: it isn’t how many pounds of fentanyl cross the U.S. border, it’s the fact that we have the Chinese using the cartels to create the product here in Canada.”

In December, Canada announced a $1.3 billion plan to address border security in light of tariff threats. But, so far, Trump has said Canada’s efforts are “not good enough.”

Burke also believes that the plan does not go far enough.

“Just throwing a sum of money isn’t enough. Make some arrests. Close down some fentanyl labs. Inspect containers from China that come into the Vancouver port,” she said.

Yaakov Pollak, a Canadian-American conservative activist who was born in Montreal but moved to Florida during the pandemic, said while he’s not a fan of tariffs and prefers free trade, he thinks Trump ultimately wants to make a deal.

“Trump likes tariffs. He does want tariffs. He believes in them. But at the same time, he’s willing to work with you and make a deal. But if you’re not willing to make a deal, you’re not willing to work [with him], then he’ll probably go all the way.”

While Trump has long touted his ability and willingness to make deals and is currently working to secure several, he has also signaled that some of his tariffs are intended as economic policy rather than a negotiation tool.

“He’s pushing buttons, I’m not denying it, and he’s fine with the tariffs. But don’t think for a second that it is not a negotiation tool,” he said, citing the meeting Ford was able to secure with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick after threatening electricity tariffs as an example of the administration’s willingness to negotiate.

Pollak noted that Canada imposes trade barriers on the U.S. —which he believes Canada may have to give up if they want to make a deal with Trump.

“Canada has a bunch of tariffs no one wants to talk about. Like how many tariffs or taxes does Canada have on milk?”

According to McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, Canada’s supply management regime, aimed at protecting Canadian farmers from American competition, results in tariffs ranging from 200 to 300 percent on American dairy products. Trump recently targeted supply management, threatening to impose 250 percent counter-tariffs on Canadian dairy.

Lynn, who asked us not to include her last name for fear of job loss, is a dual citizen born in California who now lives in Prince Edward Island. She told The Hub she believes Trump is justified in imposing tariffs on Canada.

“I think the tariffs make complete sense. The U.S. has been footing the bill for Canada for way too long. So it’s right for the U.S. to start looking out for its own interests,” she said.

Don’t take the 51st state stuff too seriously 

When it comes to making Canada the 51st state, Burke believes Trump does not actually want to see it happen.

Burke said Trudeau brought the comments on himself during a November Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump by telling him Canada would “cease to exist” if the president imposed tariffs—a claim recently made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“I don’t think that he actually wants to make Canada the 51st state. However, until Canada gives him a reason not to say it [by showing] we’re serious partners, he’s going to continue doing this,” Burke said.

Pollak meanwhile believes Trump’s 51st state comments are “a good troll,” but said he also thinks Trump “has a bit of seriousness” whenever he jokes.

Nevertheless, Pollak said he would not support Canada joining the U.S.

“I don’t think it’s going to help America to have 40 million more liberals,” he explained. “Canada as a whole is a great country, but every country has issues, and they should stick together, figure it out, and move along,” he added.

Lynn said she finds that 51st state talk to be amusing, but added that it underscores a real issue.

“Canada used to have a distinct identity. In years past, it would seem much more outrageous to think of it joining the U.S. However, Trudeau has worked hard to erase Canada’s culture in his quest to turn Canada into a ‘post-national state’ [and now] the country is in complete disarray,” she added.

Disappointed by Canada’s hatred of the U.S. 

Burke said she is distraught at what she views as dogmatic hatred for America demonstrated by Canadians in recent weeks, including by booing the American anthem.

“As a Canadian, I am ashamed that people are behaving the way that they’re behaving towards a country which has been their traditional ally, simply because they don’t like the president,” Burke said.

“As long as I’ve lived in Canada, there has been an undercurrent of anti-Americanism. Canadians have a problem with their national identity, and the only thing that [Canadians] really have in common [with each other] is that they’re not Americans,” she added. “Canadians really need to do some soul searching to figure out what they are and who they are. Americans know who they are.”

Burke admitted that anti-Americanism has affected her loyalty to Canada.

“I used to feel equally loyal, but Canadian anti-Americanism has pushed me away.”

Pollak said he opposes Canadians booing the national anthem, and said several Canadians have an unhealthy obsession with the U.S.

“Canadians are obsessed with hating America. They love to hate America and think they’re better,” he said.

Asked which country he feels the most loyal to, Pollak said he “loves both countries.”

Amidst the rising anti-Americanism, Lynn said she’s planning to move back to the U.S.

“I seriously feel like a child of divorce with my two countries dueling it out. It’s a very strange time to have dual American-Canadian citizenship, particularly while living in Canada,” she said. “I’m planning on returning to the U.S. later this year. Canada is now in such utter chaos and disarray.”