Asian consumers are pro-protectionism

Asia – Many consumers in Asia have been found to be supportive of government regulations to place trade restraints on foreign imports, going against industry belief that free trade is imperative to global economic recovery.

According to a survey by the Nielsen Company, 45% of consumers in 52 nations said they supported efforts by their governments to place trade restraints on foreign imports. The percentages were higher in the combined regions of Asia Pacific, India, Middle East and Africa, where 47% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed to some forms of protectionist measures. In Asia, 10 out of 14 countries surveyed agreed with foreign import restraints, with only Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore disagreeing or having no opinion.

The top two countries that agreed most strongly with a protectionist policy were Indonesia and Thailand with 80% and 69% respectively.

The percentages are high compared to Europe, where only 39% of consumers expressed support for governments to place trade restraints on foreign imports.

Despite support for protectionist policies within their own borders, consumers were markedly less enthusiastic about such practices in other countries. This was most dramatic with consumers whose economies are largely export-driven. In Indonesia and Thailand for example, support for trade barriers fell 31% and 22% respectively.

Asian consumers are most strongly supportive of trade restrictions on the agriculture (60%), clothing and footwear manufacturing (43%) industries, the study found. This is not surprising, given most of Asia's economies are driven by manufacturing clothing and apparel. Thailand and Vietnam are also the biggest two exporters of rice worldwide. Vietnam on the other hand, cited the clothing and footwear manufacturing business as the industry that the government should shield from foreign imports (57%).

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