More Canadians now trust China under Xi than U.S. under Trump: poll

More Canadians now hold a favorable view of China than the United States, according to a recent poll, a notable shift from last year when both countries were viewed equally.

The Pew Research Center poll, conducted between February 8 and May 13 with 1,020 respondents, found that 44 percent of Canadians surveyed had a favorable view of China, while only 33 percent expressed a similar sentiment toward the U.S. This comes as President Donald Trump nears the halfway point of his second term.

The survey also revealed that China is now viewed more positively than the U.S. in most of the 36 countries polled. "During the first two years of Trump’s second term, ratings of the U.S. president worsened significantly. While many people still lack confidence in [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping], positive views of him have become more widespread, and more overall now say they have confidence in Xi than in Trump," the poll stated.

This trend emerges despite Canada's history of condemning China's human rights abuses, particularly against the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang. Canada has imposed sanctions on Chinese officials and has experienced significant diplomatic strain due to China's arbitrary detention of Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. Furthermore, China executed four Canadian citizens in early 2025 on drug charges, actions Canada strongly condemned.

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During the first two years of Trump’s second term, ratings of the U.S. president worsened significantly. While many people still lack confidence in [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping], positive views of him have become more widespread, and more overall now say they have confidence in Xi than in Trump.