More than 80 per cent of Canadians support greater trade ties with Europe: survey

• Four-in-five believe Canada should increase trade and economic focus on Europe over the next five years
• Seventy per cent support more trade focus on LATAM and the Caribbean; 58% support more focus on East and Southeast Asia
• Half identify local laws, regulations and compliance as a major barrier to international expansion
• Half see negotiating new trade agreements, improving access to foreign markets and reducing regulatory and administrative barriers to exporting key to helping businesses enter and compete in international markets

TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canadians are looking to Europe as Canada's trade relationships shift, with strong support for deeper economic ties with the European Union and less focus on traditional partners, according to new national research commissioned by Apertera (formerly Alexa Translations).

The survey of 1,510 Canadian adults found 79 per cent believe Canada should increase its trade and economic focus on the European Union over the next five years, while 70 per cent want increased focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. At the same time, nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) say Canada should decrease its trade focus on the United States.

Eighty-five per cent say they see building a significantly stronger trade and economic relationship with the EU is important, including two-thirds (67 per cent) who say it is very important. When asked about the potential benefits of closer Canada-EU ties, 70 per cent identified reducing Canada's economic reliance on the United States, followed by strengthening Canada's economic security and resilience (54 per cent) and giving Canadian businesses access to more customers and markets (51 per cent).

"Canadians are making it clear that they want stronger relationships with a broader range of trade partners, with Europe clearly at the top of the list," said Gary Kalaci, CEO of Apertera (formerly Alexa Translations). "The support for, and opportunity to, diversify our trading partners is there. The challenge now is making sure Canadian businesses are ready to compete effectively when they enter those markets."

Thirty-nine per cent of Canadians also pointed to greater jobs and investment as a benefit of closer European ties, while 31 per cent identified increased trade in Canadian energy and critical minerals. The same proportion said closer ties could make it easier for Canadians to work, study or do business in Europe.

Europe was not alone in regions Canadians identified for greater trade focus. Seventy per cent want Canada to increase its focus on Latin America and the Caribbean, while 58 per cent favour greater focus on East and Southeast Asia and 52 per cent on South Asia, including India.

Accessing new trade markets only part of the challenge  
Canadians see a range of practical barriers facing businesses that expand internationally. More than half (54 per cent) see navigating tariffs, customs and border requirements as a major challenge, while 50 per cent pointed to understanding local laws, regulations and compliance requirements

Other frequently cited barriers included finding reliable local partners or distributors (44 per cent), finding customers and building awareness in a new market (43 per cent), understanding local business practices and cultural expectations (42 per cent). Respondents also identified challenges including adapting products and business materials for local markets, access to financing, operating across languages and developing international market expertise.

"Success in a new market depends on much more than access. Businesses have to understand the regulatory environment, customers and local business practices, and make sure their products, contracts and communications work in that market," Kalaci said. "Localization is an important part of that equation as accuracy, terminology, context and the ability to serve customers in their preferred language can have real consequences on in-market success."

When asked what could help businesses compete internationally, Canadians placed the greatest emphasis on opening markets and reducing friction. Fifty-four per cent identified negotiating new trade agreements and improving access to foreign markets, while 49 per cent pointed to reducing regulatory and administrative barriers to exporting. Forty-six per cent said helping businesses understand foreign laws, regulations and compliance requirements would make a difference.

Other priorities included support with technical or certification requirements (38 per cent) and connections to international mentors, partners and networks (37 per cent). Twenty-eight per cent identified help translating and adapting products, websites, contracts and other materials for different languages and markets.

Businesses also have to build their own capabilities
Canadians place significant responsibility on businesses themselves to prepare for international growth. More than half (54 per cent) said businesses should invest in understanding foreign customers and market demand. Forty-four per cent identified local legal, regulatory and compliance expertise, while 43 per cent pointed to training employees to work across different markets and regulatory environments.

Language and localization also emerge as a key part of that readiness. More than one-third of Canadians said businesses should invest in employees with international business, language and cultural expertise, while a similar share pointed to adapting contracts, legal materials and other business documents for local markets. Thirty-six per cent also identified multilingual customer service and support as an area businesses should be prepared to invest in.

Preparing the next generation for a more global economy
The research also points to a longer-term workforce challenge: more than one-third (35 per cent) of Canadians identified greater investment in education and training that prepares people to work and do business internationally as an important support for competitiveness. Twenty-seven per cent pointed to helping young entrepreneurs understand and access international markets, while 26 per cent identified building language, cultural and global market skills in Canada's workforce.

About the survey
These findings are from a survey conducted by Apertera (formerly Alexa Translations) from October 7th to October 13th, 2026, among a representative sample of 1510 online adult Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

About Apertera
Apertera is leading the evolution of language solutions for high-stakes content. We partner with enterprises as an extension of their teams, combining professional expertise with Adaptive AI technology that is continuously refined by client context. For more than 20 years, Apertera has provided legal, financial and regulatory translation services to major Canadian law firms, financial institutions and securities regulators. Apertera is Canadian-owned, ISO 17100 and SOC 2 certified.

SOURCE Apertera (formerly Alexa Translations)

Media contact: Matt Roth, Sovereign Advisory Inc., P: 647-518-6754, E: [email protected]