Most support a free trade deal with China: poll
REACTION TO U.S.
OTTAWA • Almost 70 per cent of Canadians support a free-trade deal with China, a new University of British Columbia poll finds, showing “pragmatism” is on the rise in the age of Trump.
In the next decade, Canadians also predict China will be a bigger economic power, “doing more to maintain peace,” “more stable and predictable” and “doing more to address environmental issues” than the United States — perceptions likely fuelled by President Donald Trump’s administration, according to researchers.
There remain, however, concerns over Chinese military power and growing influence in Canada — and well over half of Canadians still harbour “unfavourable” views of that country.
As the Canadian government deliberates on whether or not to negotiate a free-trade agreement with China, data provided to the Post show the public appear more receptive to this idea than ever before.
A decision on launching negotiations is expected before the end of the year and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to rub shoulders with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit next month.
Previous polls released by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada found support for a free-trade deal was 45 per cent in 2013, 36 per cent in 2014 and 55 per cent in May of this year.
There’s a big jump to 69 per cent in the latest poll from UBC. Only 19 per cent opposed the idea and 12 per cent didn’t know. Liberals are most in favour at 78 per cent, while 70 per cent of Conservatives support a deal despite leader Andrew Scheer’s declaration he would not pursue such a policy.
Part of the reason for this increased enthusiasm could be anxiety as Canadians look south, researchers Paul Evans and Xiaojun Li hypothesize.
“There is a visible lack of confidence about the role of the United States,” they write in a report to be launched publicly this week.
The numbers bear this out. Almost two-thirds of Canadians think China will be “the largest economic power” in the next decade. More people are uncertain (37 per cent) than are ready to say the U.S. (36 per cent) is a “more responsible global leader” than China (28 per cent).
It’s not all sunshine and roses when it comes to Canadian perceptions of China, however.
About 57 per cent hold generally “unfavourable” views and three-quarters say the country’s human rights record affects their perception negatively.
The poll was conducted in English only by Qualtrics from Aug. 30 to Sept. 12.
The margin of error is plus or minus three per cent, based on a random sample of 1,519 Canadian adults.