Most Americans consider China a serious economic and military threat to the United States.
WHY IT MATTERS– The relationship between the United States and China has worsened over the years, putting a strain on the once-promising diplomatic alliance between the world’s two largest economies and causing concerns about a future military or economic confrontation.
- China has also emerged as a topic of bipartisan cooperation in Congress.
CHINA VIEWS TRACKED – Economist/YouGov has been tracking American’s perception of China since 2018. Its recent poll showed how much China’s favorability has slipped to date.
- 40 percent view China as an enemy of the United States, double the number since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 65 percent say China is at least a somewhat serious economic threat to the United States.
- 57 percent say China is at least a somewhat serious military threat to the United States
- 45 percent say they feel threatened by China as a world superpower, including 60 percent of Republicans.
- 44 percent (a plurality) say the U.S.’s and China’s interest contradict fundamentally.
BOTTOM LINE– Americans are becoming more skeptical that a close relationship with China is in American interests.
GO DEEPER–