Canadians warming to China and India as Trump's tariffs push Ottawa toward Indo-Pacific
Majorities say stronger ties with China, India, Japan and South Korea matter as Canada looks to reduce dependence on the U.S.
Sources · Angus Reid Institute
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Canadians now see China more favourably than at any point in two years: 38 per cent view it favourably, up from 15 per cent in November 2024. Still, 53 per cent view it unfavourably.
The shift comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting in Shenzhen, his second visit to China in 2026. Majorities say stronger ties with China (69 per cent), India (61 per cent), Japan (87 per cent) and South Korea (76 per cent) matter as Canada reduces its reliance on the U.S., according to new Angus Reid Institute data.
Three in five (58 per cent) have become more supportive of trade with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan since U.S.-Canada trade tensions began, and half (49 per cent) say the same of Southeast Asia. Support for trade with China (41 per cent) and India (36 per cent) is smaller but rising.
Canadians are reordering their priorities. In 2021, three-quarters said human rights and the rule of law should guide Canada's approach to China, against 23 per cent who prioritized trade. Now a majority (57 per cent) say economics should come first. The last time this came up, after the Meng Wanzhou, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor affair, human rights dominated.
Under the January 2026 Canada-China arrangement, Canada agreed to allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles a year. Carney called it a preliminary agreement. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the EV terms lopsided.
A separate February 2026 survey found 58 per cent say Ottawa should proceed cautiously in economic negotiations with India.
What did Ontario's auto and manufacturing sector say about the EV terms, and how many jobs are tied to that trade?
Will the Chinese EV quota be expanded or capped in the next round of talks?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
