Poll Shows Growing Number of Canadians Would Choose China Over the United States

A new poll suggests that a significant number of Canadians now view China more favourably than the United States — a shift that reflects changing public attitudes toward global powers and their influence.

The figures have prompted debate among political analysts and strategists in Ottawa, Washington and Beijing about how Canada’s international relationships are evolving. While the United States has long been Canada’s closest ally, the survey points to growing interest among Canadians in cultivating closer ties with China, especially on issues such as economics and diplomatic cooperation.

Poll Highlights: China Overtakes US for Some Canadians

According to the survey, a notable proportion of Canadians expressed a preference for deeper engagement with China over the United States — the first time polling has shown such a shift in majority opinion.

The reasons cited by respondents include:

• Economic opportunity: Some Canadians see China’s position as a global economic powerhouse as offering long-term benefits for trade and investment.
• Foreign policy priorities: A number of respondents said they perceive China as offering more stable diplomatic engagement on issues such as climate change, infrastructure and international development.
• Perception of the United States: Opinions about the US are shaped by perceptions of political polarisation and recent foreign policy decisions that many Canadians view as unpredictable.

While the poll did not ask participants to favour one country unequivocally over the other in all respects, the data showed that confidence in US leadership on world affairs has weakened, while China is increasingly seen as a viable partner in global diplomacy and economics.

Canada’s Historic Relationship With the United States

For decades, Canada’s foreign and security policy has been closely aligned with that of the United States. The two countries share the world’s longest undefended land border, and their economies are deeply integrated through trade agreements such as the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Canada and the United States also cooperate closely on defence through NATO and NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command). Americans and Canadians routinely coordinate on issues ranging from border security to environmental protection.

That long-standing partnership has formed a cornerstone of Canada’s approach to international relations since the Second World War. Until recently, public opinion surveys routinely showed strong favourability toward the United States among Canadian citizens.

Changing Views on China

The latest poll suggests that views on China are shifting, with more Canadians expressing openness to collaboration despite persistent concerns about human rights and political freedoms.

China’s rise as a major global economic power — with vast markets, substantial infrastructure investment, and growing influence in multilateral forums — appears to be resonating with many in Canada who prioritise economic growth and diversified trade relationships.

A significant number of respondents also highlighted China’s role in emerging technologies and global supply chains as a factor in their positive views, suggesting that Canadians see practical advantages in strengthening ties with Beijing.

Generational and Regional Differences

Analysts note that attitudes toward China and the United States vary significantly across demographic groups.

Younger Canadians — particularly those under 40 — were more likely to express a favourable view of China compared with older generations. Economists and sociologists say this may reflect a globalising worldview among younger people, who often prioritise economic opportunity and multicultural engagement over traditional geopolitical alignments.

There were also some regional variations in the poll results. Residents in Western Canada, for example, where industries such as energy and agriculture are heavily export-oriented, showed stronger interest in diversifying markets and building relations beyond the United States.

Political Responses in Canada

The polling data has attracted responses from lawmakers and commentators on both sides of Canada’s political spectrum.

Some politicians argue that the results reflect a pragmatic recognition that Canada must engage with all major economic powers, including China, to secure its national interests and economic future. They say Ottawa should pursue a balanced foreign policy that does not depend exclusively on any single partner.

Others caution that improving ties with China must be weighed carefully against concerns over human rights, national security and geopolitical stability. They note that Canada’s relations with China have been strained in recent years, particularly after the arrest of Canadian citizens in China on disputed charges and disagreements over trade issues.

US Reaction and North American Relations

In Washington, the poll has been met with concern among some policymakers, who fear that changing Canadian sentiment could signal a broader re-evaluation of North American partnerships.

While US officials have reiterated the importance of the US-Canada alliance, they also acknowledge that global geopolitics are shifting and that allies may seek a more diversified portfolio of international relationships.

Broader Global Context

The polling trend in Canada may also reflect wider global patterns. Surveys in other Western democracies have shown rising public interest in engaging with China on selected economic and diplomatic fronts, even as governments maintain strategic competition in areas such as defence and technology.

Analysts say such attitudes are driven in part by China’s economic weight, its role in international institutions, and perceptions of stability and growth potential compared with Western democracies facing political divisions or economic uncertainty.

At the same time, public concern about human rights issues in China — including treatment of ethnic minorities and restrictions on civil liberties — remains a significant counterweight in many countries, including Canada.

What Comes Next

For policymakers in Ottawa, the survey results pose both an opportunity and a challenge. Balancing a historic partnership with the United States while exploring new avenues of engagement with China will require diplomatic finesse and clear articulation of national priorities.

Canada’s leaders may use the poll as a basis for re-evaluating foreign policy strategies, but any shift in official orientation will need broad political consensus and careful management of international relationships.

As Canadians reassess their views on global powers, the debate over how best to protect national interests — economically, politically and strategically — is likely to play an increasingly important role in public discourse.

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