The Transatlantic Tilt

Introduction to Nanos-Research & KAS-Canada Survey

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is a German political foundation that is one of the world's leading political think tanks with 100 of its own representations. As an independent foundation, we are financially supported by the German Bundestag, but we are not part of the German Federal Government, but independent. As the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany after the Second World War, born 150 years ago on 5 January 1867, Konrad Adenauer decisively shaped German politics, Germany's integration into the West, the European idea and the Christian Democratic foundations of the Christian Democratic Union in Germany and thus our foundation of values. As a political foundation, we are committed worldwide to strengthening democracy, peace, freedom and security, respect for universal human rights, the recognition of a rules-based international order, respect for general international law and for a social market economy that accepts the challenges of climate change and develops sustainable solutions. As part of our work as a German political foundation, we work together to find sustainable solutions and offer a value-based and fair dialogue with socially relevant groups, parties, parliaments and governments alike, thus strengthening the partnership between Germany and numerous countries around the world. The future of a united and peaceful Europe and the strengthening of the transatlantic partnership have been a key goal for our work from the very beginning.

Since 2019, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has maintained a dedicated country office in Canada, headquartered in Ottawa. Canada and Germany are not only united by common values, but also by common goals. Especially in times of increasing crises and wars, dangerous populism and protectionism worldwide. The Central Powers must move closer together in order not to succumb to the systemic competition between autocratic states and liberal-democratically based states. Shared responsibility for the security of our countries in the North Atlantic Alliance, economic resilience as G7 countries, securing free world trade, and energy- and resource-oriented cooperation between our countries are therefore central to our work in Canada. In open and transparent dialogues with national and international experts, we provide citizens in our partner countries with a platform for information. The well-informed and objectively informed citizen is the best protective shield of a strong democracy, especially in times of geopolitical changes, the increasing use of artificial intelligence and media overload of information. Together with the Nanos Research Institute, we have therefore tried to identify Canada's main challenges for the next 10 years as part of a representative survey. Of course, it was important for us to find out how Canadian citizens view the close partnership with Germany, but also the role of Europe in terms of security, economic and energy policy, and what expectations they have of this. Our Project 2036 aims to better analyze the future fields of action of German- Canadian cooperation from a political point of view and to orient our own mission accordingly. The results of this survey may be of interest to you and that is why we are publishing this study, on the basis of which we want to continue working on a good future and partnership with Canada.

The Transatlantic Tilt: Canadians Warm to Germany and Europe as Confidence in the United States Becomes Less Certain presents new insights into how Canadians view key international partnerships in an evolving geopolitical environment. Conducted by Nanos Research in May 2026 and commissioned by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Canada, the study examines Canadian attitudes toward Germany, Europe, and the United States at a time of shifting global alignments and growing uncertainty in the international security landscape.

The survey explores the extent to which Canadians see Germany as an important strategic partner and assesses public support for a strengthened Canada–Germany defense partnership. It also examines current perceptions of the Canada–United States defense relationship, providing a snapshot of how Canadians view the country's most important traditional security alliance.

Beyond bilateral relationships, the research offers a broader perspective on the role Canadians assign to Europe in matters of defense, security, and international cooperation. The findings highlight evolving public opinion on transatlantic engagement and reveal how Canadians are reassessing partnerships and priorities in response to changing global dynamics. Together, the results provide valuable insights into Canada's place within a shifting international order and the growing significance of Europe—and Germany in particular—in the eyes of the Canadian public.

We are looking forward to your reactions or comments: info.canada@kas.de.

Kind regards
Dr. Bernd Althusmann
Country-Director KAS-Canada