An annual Pew Research Center survey released on Wednesday revealed that more than 40% of Americans now consider China as an enemy, a significant increase from a quarter two years ago and the highest level in five years.
The report indicated that half of Americans perceive China as a competitor, while only 6% view the country as a partner. These findings come at a time when the Biden administration is working to stabilize U.S.-China relations to prevent potential conflicts, while also addressing various issues such as Russia's actions in Ukraine, Taiwan, and human rights.
Recent visits to China by Secretary of State and Treasury Secretary are part of the administration's efforts to manage the competition with Beijing responsibly. Despite these diplomatic efforts, President Joe Biden has been emphasizing a tough stance on China, in competition with former President Donald Trump.
The survey, conducted from April 1-7 with a sample of 3,600 U.S. adults, revealed that approximately half of Americans believe limiting China's power and influence should be a top U.S. foreign policy priority, with only 8% disagreeing.
For the fifth consecutive year, about eight in 10 Americans expressed an unfavorable view of China. The report highlighted that 81% of U.S. adults hold an unfavorable opinion of the country, with 43% having a very unfavorable view. Chinese President Xi Jinping also received negative ratings, with about 80% of Americans lacking confidence in his handling of world affairs.
Americans' attitudes towards China have notably soured following the trade war initiated in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in China. Concerns about Beijing's human rights record, its relationship with Russia, and its policies towards Taiwan and Hong Kong have further contributed to negative perceptions.
The survey also revealed that 42% of Americans now view China as an enemy, the highest level since 2021. This sentiment is more pronounced among Republicans and older Americans, as well as those with conservative views and negative perceptions of the U.S. economy.
Christine Huang, a Pew research associate, noted that Americans tend to view China more negatively when they perceive its influence in the world as growing or when they believe it has a significant impact on the U.S. economy. Pessimism about the U.S. economy is also linked to unfavorable views of China.
The survey was based on a nationally representative sample of 3,600 respondents who completed online surveys, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.
