Canadians warming to China and India as Carney heads to China for APEC summit in Shenzhen, poll finds

Canadians' views of China and India have warmed markedly over the past two years, according to a survey published today by the Angus Reid Institute and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. The share of Canadians with a favourable view of China has risen from 15% in November 2024 to 38%, more than doubling, while favourable views of India have risen from 26% to 36%. Prime Minister Mark Carney begins a tour of the globe this week, concluding in Shenzhen, China, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting — his second visit to China this year.

Warmer towards China and India, but still far behind Japan, South Korea and Europe

The survey finds 69% of Canadians say developing a stronger relationship with China is important, and 61% say the same of India, compared with 87% for Japan and 76% for South Korea. By favourability, Japan (88%), the United Kingdom (79%), the European Union (78%), South Korea (76%), Mexico (75%) and Southeast Asia (71%) all stand far above China (38%) and India (36%); the United States trails both at 25%. The share who see China's rise as a threat to Canadian interests has fallen from 61% a year ago to 49%.

Trade now outweighs human rights, reversing the position of five years ago

Asked what should matter more in Canada's relationship with China, 57% of respondents said trade and investment opportunities should take priority, against 43% who chose human rights and the rule of law. In 2021, after the diplomatic rupture over Meng Wanzhou, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, 77% said human rights and the rule of law should come first — the position has now fully reversed. A similar shift is visible on India: 56% now say trade and investment should be prioritised, up from 38% in 2024. The survey also finds 58% of Canadians are more supportive of trade with the Northeast Asian economies of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in response to U.S.-Canada trade tensions; 41% are more supportive of trade with China and 36% with India.

The EU remains Canadians' top choice for closer trade ties

Despite the warming towards Asia, the European Union remains by far the region Canadians most want closer trade ties with, chosen by 58%, well ahead of Mexico (24%), the United Kingdom (22%), the United States (20%), China (14%), Southeast Asia (10%) and India (5%). Carney has made broadening trade ties beyond the United States a focus of his term since taking office last year. His trip this week begins in Ireland, where he will continue work towards Canada becoming an associate member of the European Union, before moving on to Southeast Asia and China. Before his January visit earlier this year, it had been more than eight years since a Canadian prime minister visited China; this week's trip is his second visit to China in 2026, underlining Ottawa's accelerating turn towards the Indo-Pacific under pressure from U.S. tariffs.

The survey was conducted from 29 October to 4 November 2026 among 1,609 Canadian adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Source: Angus Reid Institute, 10 November 2026.