Fewer Americans see China positively as trade tensions worsen, Pew study finds
Only 38 per cent saw the country favourably in weeks before trade war began, with economic threats topping their list of worries, according to survey
Americans have become less positive about China as trade tensions mount and they worry more about the Asian giant’s growing economic clout, according to new data from the Pew Research Centre.
Only 38 per cent of Americans saw China favourably when surveyed by the Washington-based think tank between May and June – weeks before the trade war kicked off, with billions in tariffs levelled on both sides – down from 44 per cent at the same time last year.
“As trade tensions rise, fewer Americans see China favourably,” the Pew report, published on Wednesday, said. “[There is a] resurgence in US concern over China’s growing economy … most Americans say they are more concerned about China’s economic strength than its military capabilities.”
The findings, which drew from phone interviews with 1,500 individuals, showed economic threats were at the top of Americans’ list of worries about the bilateral relationship as trade frictions intensified in recent months.
Washington and Beijing have traded billions in punitive tariffs since July, after months of heated accusations from US President Donald Trump’s administration that China has employed unfair trade and intellectual property practices.