As this column is being written, a set of tariffs implemented by the United States is supposed to come into force on April 2. In an American administration where “alternative facts” have once again become a staple, and where the head of state changes his mind swiftly on social media, the reminder from airline pilots after a safe landing comes in handy: “Contents may have shifted.”

One thing that has not changed is the level of attention that Canadians are paying to the dispute. More than four in five Canadians (84 per cent, down three points since early February) are following news related to the tariffs “very closely” or “somewhat closely.” This is happening in the middle of a federal election campaign, and after 30 per cent of Canadians told us that Canada-U.S. Relations is the most important issuefacing the country.

Prime Minister Mark Carney appears to have struck the right chord. Almost three in five Canadians (59 per cent) approve of his performance to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States, up five points from the number registered by predecessor Justin Trudeau. The needle did not move for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who remains at 47 per cent.

Another question shows that the Liberal Party did not err in forcing a leadership race. The........

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