After years of deep frost in the Canada-China relationship, a subtle thaw appears to be underway. Canadians are beginning to view China less harshly than before and shifting their priorities toward focusing on potential economic common ground with the Asian powerhouse.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, finds that 27 per cent of Canadians now hold a favourable view of China, up from just 16 per cent earlier this year and nearly triple the all -time low recorded in 2021 (10%). That said, most (59%) still view the country negatively, and China continues to rank significantly lower than other Asian nations for public warmth.
Economic engagement tells a parallel story of restraint with curiosity. When presented with a number of global options, fewer than one-in-six (14%) believe Canada should pursue deeper trade with China — a steep decline from the 40 per cent who said so a decade ago. That said, while China’s priority appears relatively lower than European nations or Mexico, this doesn’t mean that Canadians want to do away with trade efforts entirely. Fully half (51%) say Canada should focus more on its economic relationship with China, up 15 points from 2023.
Much of this may be attributed to the economic anxiety many Canadians are feeling as their once most reliable ally has become a source of frustration and at times, hostility. Consider that Canadians are more likely to say the United States (46%) should be treated as a threat than China (34%). Caution is more appropriate according to Canadians in this relationship with China (37%), while only one-quarter say Canada should approach the Chinese government as a friend or ally (23%).
More Key Findings:
- More Canadians (45%) say they would ideally have Canada do less trade with China than say it’s as a good a trade partner as any (37%). In 2021, this ratio was 24 per cent to 61 per cent, suggesting Canadian views of China as a trade partner have improved, but still causes hesitation. A much higher number of Canadians view Taiwan (59%), South Korea (64%) and Japan (79%) as good trading partners
- Among those who would like to trade less with China, one-in-five (21%) say Canada could completely make up economic losses from forgoing this relationship, while three-in-five (60%) believe Canada could trade less with China with minimal economic consequence. Another one-in-five say there’s no way to reduce trade with China without hurting Canada’s economy (19%)
- Three-in-five (61%) describe China’s prominence as an economic power as a “threat to Canadian interests” and a similar number (57%) believe economic retribution is possible if Canada takes too hard of a stand against Beijing’s policies.
- Half of Canadians (53%) say that despite the risk of damage it may do to their country’s relationship with China, they would still pursue a closer relationship with Taiwan. One-in-five (18%) disagree, and many are unsure (29%)
- On a trade-off between human rights and trade opportunity, concern over the former has dwindled. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, more than 70 per cent of Canadians prioritized human rights in dealing with China. That number has fallen to 52 per cent, with 48 per cent now saying trade opportunities are paramount
For more findings on the overall relationship between Canada and India and Canadian perspectives on bilateral trade, please read this joint public opinion poll from the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the Angus Reid Institute.
