Jalal Alavi, a frequent commenter on this blog, suggested posting the following:
A Survey on Public Opinion
The newly released survey of German Marshall Fund of the United States “Perspectives on Trade and Poverty Reduction” was presented in the WTO today(13.12.2006). GMF has surveyed seven countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, UK and US) who represent a third of exports and imports, 40% of FDI inflows and outflows, and 60% of overseas development assistance worldwide. People across these countries have been interviewed through telephone or face-to-face. The finding may be interesting, especially in comparison to the similar surveyed done in 2005. Some of the key finings of the survey are as follows:
“Economic optimism rising: Despite majorities in nearly every country remaining dissatisfied with the economy, 41% of Americans and 27% of Europeans are satisfied with their economy compared to 30% and 20%, respectively, last year.
Free trade benefits recognized: Seventy-eight percent of Americans and 82% of Europeans believe that freer trade enables access to new markets for national products, while 78% of Americans and 76% of Europeans believe that freer trade leads to lower prices and more product choices for consumers. Seventy-one percent of Americans and 72% of Europeans believe freer trade makes the world more stable by putting people from different countries in contact with each other.
Globalization fears weaken, but anxiety over jobs: Every country had more favorable views on globalization than in 2005: Poland (34% to 49%), Italy (51% to 61%), Germany (46% to 53%), the U.K. (47% to 53%), the U.S. (46% to 52%), and France (43% to 47%). But nearly 60% of American and half of European respondents believe that freer trade costs more jobs than it creates.
Americans and French apprehensive over open markets: American and French respondents wish to keep trade barriers to protect businesses, even if this means slower growth. They showed the highest levels of opposition to trade liberalization - 55% of French and 31% of American respondents do not favor freer trade. American (59%) and French respondents (58%) say freer trade costs jobs. But French respondents also showed the lowest confidence in freer trade providing consumer benefits (63%), helping poor countries (39%), increasing global prosperity (49%), and supporting democracy (45%). More Americans believe it has consumer benefits (78%), helps poor countries (70%), increases global prosperity (68%), and supports democracy (65%).
China viewed as threatening: Fifty-nine percent of both Americans and Europeans believe that China's growing economy is a threat because of competition from low-cost Chinese products and U.S. and European firms relocating to China. Seventy percent of French, 67% of Polish, 66% of Italian, and 65% of Slovak respondents expressed fears over China's emerging economy.
Skills gap worries: About 94% of Americans and Europeans believe that investing in education, job training and technology will help them compete in the global economy - fewer than those who believe that pro-business tax and regulation reforms (74%), trade and FDI promotion (64% and 70%), or making it easier to hire and fire workers (49%) will help improve competitiveness. Americans and Europeans ranked these policy opinions similarly in descending order of priority.
Aid for trade a win-win: Three out of four Americans and Europeans are keen on promoting international trade with poor countries, a level of approval that is in line with transatlantic support for development assistance. Just as many Americans and Europeans believe "aid for trade" - that is aid that helps poor countries trade - will benefit their own economies.
Immigration pros and cons: In every country surveyed unskilled-worker wages are seen as more threatened by immigration than skilled-worker wages, but the extent to which countries believe that there is such an \impact on worker wages overall varies. Sixty-two percent of Americans and 54% of Europeans believe that immigrant workers create new businesses that add value to the economy and just over half of Americans and Europeans believe that immigrant workers contribute to the success of industries like science, medicine, and technology.
The Whole Report is here: http://www.gmfus.org/doc/GMF_TradeSurvey%202006.pdf
