Posted on 04/19/2003 10:49:37 AM PDT by Jason Kauppinen
48% in U.S. would choose non-Canadian products: Poll
FROM CANADIAN PRESS
Nearly half of U.S. consumers would consider substituting Canadian products with non-Canadian ones in light of recent world events, a survey released today suggested.
Fleishman-Hillard Canada and Wirthlin Worldwide — in a telephone survey of 1,000 Americans — report that 48 per cent of those polled are "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to try an alternative to Canadians goods they have purchased in the past.
The study also suggests that 8 per cent of respondents have already found substitutes for Canadian products — while 15 per cent said the same of French imports.
Some 47 per cent of those polled said they were less supportive of economic cooperation and free trade with Canada.
Wirthlin Worldwide conducted a national telephone survey of 1,000 adult Americans over the phone between April 8 and April 12. The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
It's the second survey undertaken by the two firms to gauge American attitudes toward Canada, France and Germany — three countries that publicly opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
"Attitudes of many Americans toward French, German, and Canadian brands have hardened in the three weeks since the first Trade Winds survey," said Linda Smith of Fleishman-Hillard Canada.
When asked — in light of the war in Iraq — if consumers would boycott products from Canadian companies, 17 per cent said they were more likely to do so. That number was up from 11 per cent in the previous poll of March 3, but is significantly lower than the 45 per cent who responded that they were less likely to avoid goods from north of the border.
The French did not fair as well, with 31 per cent indicating they were more likely to boycott products from that country while 23 per cent said they'd be likely to shun German goods.
The study's authors also reported that a growing number of Americans — 58 per cent of those polled — are concerned that product boycotts could backfire, hurting U.S. employees and suppliers of foreign companies.
Respondents were also asked if they could identify what brands belonged to what country.
Seventy-nine per cent knew that Canadian Club whisky was Canadian, but only 30 per cent could identify Molson beer as such, while 24 per cent were aware that Labatt's hails from north of the border.
Last month, U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci said Washington was ``upset and disappointed" over Canada's refusal to support the war in Iraq. And U.S. President George W. Bush recently cancelled a visit to Ottawa.
What are China and Mexico's stand on this? Is that the deal breaker? Is that the only reason? I really want to know. Does everyone really think Canada's stand on this and their relationship with the US is more harmful to this country than Mexico are China's?
My point is and always has been, our relationship with Mexico and China is very slanted in favor of those two countries - Mexico especially should be very beholden to us - and they have not supported us, in fact, anti-American sentiment has been in Mexico since before the war - not just since and still everyone refuses to touch these two nations. Why? Someone please tell me why?
I heard a why about Canada -haven't heard a why not about Mexico or China. Thanks for answering - that is the first time anyone has even replied to it.
The sense of betrayal is deeper.
If my neighbor's wife sleeps around, I may feel sorry for them. If my wife sleeps around, it hurts more. We were always under the impression the US and Canada were close on many issues, including culture. (Naturally, Quebec is not and should not be included in this, or in anything else, either). Mexico has a different culture and language, so we expect more differences. China has an incomprehensible culture and language, so we expect wider differences stil, and possibly few points of commonality.
Sadly, Foster's Lager now joins this list (At least the Fosters that Americans consume).
I beg to differ, Ontario is very supportive of the US, Chretien's polls are lying, as was shown when we had a rally, it was called on very short notice, yet appr 8.000 showed up on the hill.
Mind you, if I were American I would boycott things Canadian, it's the only thing Chretien understands.
OK, I kinda buy that.
But living in Texas, I feel the same about Mexico. Also, since we are taking care of anywhere from 3 to 12 million of their people who are her illegally, bankrupting our states, cities, hospitals, schools, and citizens, while the illegals are sending home enough dollars to account of 1/3 of their national economy ( think it is a conservative amount). We have been sending foreign aid to Mexico for years, which we increased by 50%. Mexico has lived comfortably for a number of years knowing we would protect them from any enemy (same as Canada). We have sent many, many jobs to Mexico. So I feel the sense of betrayal is even worse for MExico than any other country. I don't like anyone or anything that bites the hands that feeds them.
As for China, what can I say, we have such a lopsided trade deal with them, so they use dollars we send to build up a military to be aimed at -- 'give you 3 guesses and first two don't count'. They use those dollars to buy up American companies. You see, once again I think their transgressions are much worse as far as something owed - but even worse in terms of the damage we are allowing to happen to this country to maintain our relationship.
I guess I think boycotts could be better used to actually help our situation and at the same time send a message - rather than just looking like we are having a hissy fit.
Your thoughts?
First let me tell you, I am Canadian.
Second: It has very little to do with disagreement, it has more to do with the appalling behavior of our politicians in the aftermath of the disagreement.
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