Surveys Show More Americans Warming to China
New surveys show that a growing number of Americans view China positively, even as the government-to-government relations are mixed.
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center indicates that Americans are developing a more favorable view of China. The share of Americans with a negative opinion of China has decreased from 68% in 2021 to 54% in 2026, while those with a positive view have risen from 11% to 19%. Neutral views have grown from 20% to 27%. Another survey by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs published this week revealed that Americans are increasingly viewing China as less of a threat, with only 41% considering China's territorial ambitions a critical threat to the U.S., down from 52% in 2022.
Additionally, 57% of Americans now favor cooperation with China over containment. These findings suggest a rebound in U.S. sentiment towards China following the pandemic-era lows and may be influenced by the positive language from the White House under President Trump, who has had a more open approach to bilateral economic ties with Beijing.
While this sentiment shift does not indicate admiration, it reflects a moderation of threat perception, driven by the view of China primarily as a competitor rather than an immediate adversary. However, skepticism towards China remains strong, particularly among Republicans, with 63% of MAGA Republicans favoring containment over cooperation.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
