American attitudes towards China have become increasingly negative, with more than 40% of Americans now labeling China as an enemy, up from a quarter two years ago and reaching the highest level in five years, according to an annual Pew Research Center survey. The findings come as the Biden administration seeks to stabilize U.S.-China relations while still addressing issues such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, Taiwan, and human rights. Only 6% of Americans consider China a partner, with half seeing it as a competitor. President Joe Biden has been emphasizing toughness on China in competition with former President Donald Trump.
The Pew report, based on a survey of 3,600 U.S. adults in April, found that roughly half of Americans believe limiting China’s power and influence should be a top U.S. foreign policy priority. About eight in 10 Americans have an unfavorable view of China, with many holding a very unfavorable opinion. Chinese President Xi Jinping also receives negative ratings, with most Americans expressing little to no confidence in his ability to handle world affairs. American attitudes towards China have worsened since the U.S. initiated a trade war in 2018 and since the emergence of COVID-19, which was first reported in China.
The U.S. government has taken a more overtly competitive stance against China, further fueling negative sentiments among Americans. The report also notes that older Americans, conservative Republicans, and those with negative views of the U.S. economy are more likely to consider China an enemy. The majority of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents see China as an enemy, compared to Democrats and Democratic-leaning individuals. Americans also view China more negatively when they perceive China’s influence in the world to have strengthened or when they believe China has a significant impact on the U.S. economy.
Overall, the survey found that 42% of Americans view China as an enemy, with Republicans more likely to hold this belief than Democrats. The negative views towards China are influenced by factors such as China’s human rights record, its relationship with Russia, and its policies towards Taiwan and Hong Kong. Pessimism about the U.S. economy also plays a role in shaping perceptions of China, with those who view the economic situation negatively more likely to see China unfavorably. The survey was conducted online with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.
In conclusion, American attitudes towards China have become increasingly critical, with a significant portion of the population viewing China as an enemy. These negative sentiments are fueled by issues such as the U.S.-China trade war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and China’s human rights record. The U.S. government’s competitive stance towards China has also played a role in shaping American perceptions. Republicans are more likely to view China as an enemy compared to Democrats, and factors such as age, political leanings, and perceptions of the U.S. economy also influence attitudes towards China. Overall, the Pew survey highlights the complex and evolving nature of U.S.-China relations and the challenges of managing this important bilateral relationship.