Americans’ Views of China Are Shifting
AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File
Public opinion in the United States toward China remains largely negative, but attitudes have been gradually improving for the third year in a row. A new survey from the Pew Research Center shows that 27 percent of Americans now say they view China favorably. That figure is six percentage points higher than last year and nearly double the level recorded in 2023, when favorable views dropped to 14 percent.
Negative perceptions are still widespread but have declined somewhat. In 2023, 83 percent of Americans held an unfavorable opinion of China. That number has now fallen to 71 percent, according to reporting from Axios. Fewer Americans are also describing China as an “enemy.” In 2024, 42 percent used that label, while the latest survey shows the share has dropped to 28 percent. Most respondents instead characterize China as a “competitor.” The change reflects a slight softening in the strong bipartisan skepticism toward China that took shape during President Trump’s first term.
Support for China is somewhat higher among Democrats, with 34 percent expressing a favorable view, an increase of eight points from the previous year. However, positive opinions among Republicans have also risen, climbing nine points since 2024 to reach 18 percent. When asked whether China is an enemy, only 14 percent of Democrats now say yes, down from 28 percent in 2024. Among Republicans, 44 percent still hold that view, though that is a decline from 59 percent the year before.
Age also plays a role in how Americans view China. Younger adults tend to hold more positive opinions compared with older generations.
Trust in Chinese President Xi Jinping remains low overall, but it has increased slightly. Seventeen percent of Americans now say they have confidence in his handling of global affairs, which is roughly twice the level recorded in 2023, according to CNN.
At the same time, confidence in President Trump’s approach to managing relations with China has declined. Sixty percent of those surveyed say they have little or no trust in how he is handling the relationship, a five-point increase from last year.
The Pew survey included responses from 3,507 adults in the United States and was conducted between March 23 and March 29. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.
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