US aversion to China has reached an all-time high

In the United States, 82% of the population now has a negative opinion about china† As a result, American aversion to China has risen to an all-time high. That’s according to a report by the Pew Research Center, based on a survey of more than 3,500 American adults during the month of March.

The researchers We point out that 40% of Americans now have a very negative opinion of China. This unfavorable position is especially noticeable among conservative Americans.

tensions

Negative attitudes toward China have increased sharply in the United States over the past five years. This phenomenon can be linked to tensions around trade, national defense, human rights, and the coronavirus pandemic.

However, researchers note that China was described by the Americans as a competitor, not an enemy. For 62 percent of Americans, China is primarily a competitor, while 25 percent see the Asian country primarily as an enemy. Another 10% consider China a partner.

Remarkably, in January, only 54 percent of those surveyed saw China primarily as a competitor, while nearly 35 percent described the country primarily as an enemy. The latest figures showed about the status quo compared to the previous year.

The researchers also argued that the most negative opinions about China circulated, especially in Republican circles. In these groups, 89 percent seem to have a negative image of China, compared to 79 percent in Democratic circles.

economic affairs

The differences become larger when economic issues are discussed. Republican-oriented respondents were the most likely to report poor economic relations between the two countries. This was also where the strongest support for a strict economic policy towards the Asian country could be found.

In addition, it has been proven that most Americans still consider their country the largest world power, but China’s progress is also evident there. For 42 percent of respondents, China has become the world’s leading economic power. That was more than two years by 11 percentage points.

And 19 percent said China is now the world’s most important military power. This represents an increase of 13 percentage points.

The study also found significant differences in attitudes toward China between older and younger Americans. Older Americans are more likely to have a negative view of China. They are more likely to talk about a bad relationship between the two countries and are also more likely to describe China as an enemy.

The effect of the age difference is especially important when discussing relations between China and Taiwan. Among Americans over 65, 52 percent consider tensions between China and Taiwan a particularly serious problem. In the eighteen to twenty-nine age group, that number drops to 26 percent.

(A.m)