Ahn Young-joon, AP A man in Seoul, South Korea watches a TV screen showing U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Aug. 10, 2017.

The vast majority of Canadians think that U.S. President Donald Trump is adding fuel to the fire when it comes to North Korea and lack confidence in his ability to tackle the situation, a new poll suggests. The survey from Abacus Data, released Tuesday, also shows that Canadians want their government to push for diplomatic answers in the face of escalating tensions. The poll suggests that more than six in 10 Canadians have been paying attention to the war of words between the United States and North Korea this summer and 69 per cent believe it is now "likely" the U.S. will take military action against the rogue state. Eighty-four per cent of respondents said they agree that Trump has increased the risk of conflict, including voters on different ends of the political spectrum. Ninety-one per cent of Liberal supporters, 94 per cent of NDP voters and 77 per cent of Conservatives share that view.

Abacus Data A screengrab from an Abacus Data poll released on Aug. 22, 2017.

Trump threatened North Korea with "fire and fury" weeks ago amid reports it had developed a miniaturized nuclear warhead that could be placed on an intercontinental ballistic missile. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un ordered two missile tests last month and threatened the U.S. territory of Guam, before backing down. The U.S. and South Korea began joint military drills Monday that North Korea dubbed an invasion rehearsal and pledged would be met with "merciless retaliation." Asked about their level of confidence in the U.S. president to handle the crisis, 76 per cent of respondents said they had either "not very much" or "none at all." Just seven per cent told the firm they had a "great deal" of faith in Trump. The numbers show a majority of Conservatives — 57 per cent — lack confidence in Trump, while a whopping 85 per cent of Liberals and 85 per cent of New Democrats feel the same.

Abacus Data

Nearly eight in 10 respondents said they think the Canadian government should focus on advocating for increased diplomatic efforts, while 21 per cent back telling our U.S. allies "that we will support them if a conflict occurs." Thirty-six per cent of Tories back a more aggressive tone on a potential conflict, compared to just 15 per cent of Liberals and 11 per cent of New Democrats.

Abacus Data