[full release with charts: <http://people-press.org/commentary/display.php3?AnalysisID=68>]
World Publics Approve Increased International Trade But Concern for Problems of Global Economy
Released: September 5, 2003
Though controversy is likely to surround the world trade ministers' gathering in Cancun, Mexico September 10-14, increased trade is widely supported by the world's people. Both the rich and the poor embrace international commerce, saying it is good for their countries and good for their families, according to results from the Pew Global Attitudes Project's surveys of 38,000 people in 44 nations. And, contrary to widespread perception, the public thinks positively of both international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization, and multinational corporations, both the target of violent protests at the WTO meeting in Seattle in 1999 and likely to come under fire again in Cancun.
Anti-globalization protesters, on the other hand, are held in low esteem worldwide-even though the public thinks many of the problems the protestors rail against, including the availability of jobs and the gap between the rich and the poor, are worsening. And Pew's global surveying found that popular support for trade is more muted than enthusiastic, especially among less affluent people in most countries.
Overall, large majorities in 38 of 44 nations surveyed by Pew in Summer, 2002 thought growing global trade and business ties were good rather than bad for their country. This was particularly the case in Vietnam (98%), Nigeria (95%), Germany (91%), China (90%), Mexico (79%) and the United States (78%). There was also strong support for global commerce in France (88%), Brazil (73%) and India (69%), countries that have been critical of the current Doha negotiations and will be pivotal players in the debates in Cancun. (See chart for selected countries.)
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