According to a recent survey conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in collaboration with Ipsos, the perception of Americans towards communist China has significantly deteriorated, reaching its lowest point since 1978. Majority of Americans, to be specific 55%, believe that the United States should actively constrain the growth of Chinese military power.
The survey, carried out between June 21 and July 1, revealed that the average favorability rating towards China among Americans stands at a mere 26 out of 100, dropping from 32 in 2022. This marks the lowest score recorded since the inception of this public opinion poll in 1978.
It is evident from the survey that Americans are averse to the idea of competition escalating into a war scenario. 69% of the respondents prioritize averting military conflict between the U.S. and China, while 60% opt for maintaining America’s advantage in high technology.
Craig Kafura, the Director of Public Opinion and Foreign Policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, emphasized the considerable support shown by the American public, particularly among Republicans, for some rather tough policies towards China.
He added, “Despite many people disliking China and viewing it as a competitor or a threat, for the American public, this is something that needs to be managed rather than a war to be won.”
Interestingly, the survey was released in the final two weeks of the U.S. presidential campaign. The China issue has been a central theme in the foreign policies of both major parties. Vice President Harris and former President Trump frequently adopt a tough stance against the Chinese Communist Party.
The survey indicates that both Republicans and Democrats share negative views towards communist China; however, they have not reached a consensus on the best approach to counter the threats posed by China.
Democrats lean towards engaging with Beijing and give priority to cooperating with China in areas such as climate change and arms control. Democrats also place more emphasis on promoting human rights in China, while Republicans are more concerned about the national security threat posed by Beijing.
The economic ties between the U.S. and China are now subject to increased scrutiny. More than half (56%) of the surveyed Americans believe that trade between the two nations weakens U.S. national security. Furthermore, 79% support preventing U.S. companies from selling sensitive high-tech products to China, a rise from 71% three years ago.
“People in America have truly experienced the level of dependence on China for crucial resources, especially during emergencies like the pandemic,” said Kafura. This experience has deepened the public’s perspective, highlighting that supply chains linking the U.S. with China may not prevent conflicts but could potentially exacerbate them.
Currently, 55% of respondents support the U.S. increasing tariffs on Chinese goods, although this figure is lower than the 62% in 2021. Former President Trump proposed imposing tariffs of 10% to 20% on all foreign goods and a higher 60% tariff on Chinese products.
Vice President Harris may uphold the tariffs implemented by the Biden administration, which include a 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars and a 50% tariff on Chinese solar panels.
Additionally, the survey found that Americans generally back the industrial policies of the Biden administration, such as investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing – a key step seen by the president to maintain America’s competitiveness in the technological race against China.