Trade News

Canadians say China's market most promising

October 13, 2006

A national opinion poll by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and The Globe and Mail suggests that Canadians believe China holds greater potential for Canadian exports and investment than the United States.

Canadians say China holds the greatest potential for exports and investment, according to a recent poll.

Forty-two percent of respondents identified China as the market with the greatest potential, well ahead of the United States at 29%. The next most important markets were Japan, India, Southeast Asia and the European Union.

However, when asked about the importance of different countries and regions for Canada’s prosperity and well being, the United States was selected by 89% of respondents, followed by China at 77%, the European Union at 66% and Japan at 65%.

“The poll demonstrates that Canadians are attuned to the rise of China as an economic power. Whether or not China in fact holds greater potential than the U.S., Canadians are embracing economic relations with China as a necessary and positive development,” said Yuen Pau Woo, foundation president.

Only 38% of respondents believe that China’s growing importance as an economic power is more of a threat for Canada than an opportunity. Seventy-three percent agree that increased Canada-China trade will "mostly help" Canadian consumers.

Regionally, there were differences in views about China. While Quebeckers were split on whether China or the U.S. holds more potential for exports and investment, the rest of Canada chose China over the U.S. by a margin of 18 percentage points. The gap in favour of China was even larger in western provinces, especially British Columbia, where 57% of respondents said China had the most potential, compared with only 18% who chose the U.S.

The poll, based on 1,014 respondents, was conducted between August 2 and 9, 2006, by the Strategic Counsel on behalf of the Asia Pacific Foundation and The Globe and Mail. Results for the national sample are accurate to within 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

For more information, go to www.asiapacific.ca.