Public opinion of China in the United States is beginning to soften after years of increasingly negative sentiment, according to a new Pew Research Center survey released Thursday.
The findings show that 77% of Americans currently hold an unfavorable view of China—down slightly from 81% in 2024. This marks the first year-over-year decline in unfavorable views since 2017. Additionally, the percentage of Americans with a very unfavorable opinion dropped 10 points from the previous year.
Despite this modest shift, most Americans continue to view China as a competitor (56%) rather than a partner or enemy. However, the share describing China as an “enemy” has fallen to 33%, a significant drop from 42% in 2024. When asked which country poses the greatest threat to the U.S., 42% named China, down from 50% in 2023.
Views have changed most among Republicans, who have traditionally been more critical of China. The share of Republicans calling China an enemy has fallen 14 points in the past year, and they are now just as likely to describe the country as a competitor. Democrats showed a smaller, but notable, decline in negative sentiment as well.
Trade remains a key area of tension. Nearly half of Americans (46%) believe China benefits more from trade with the U.S., and a majority are skeptical of recently increased tariffs. About half of Americans say the tariffs will be bad for the country and for them personally, with Democrats especially critical of the policy. Republicans were more divided, though 44% said the tariffs would help the country.
Views on China’s role in the world remain consistent. Roughly 73% believe China’s global influence is growing. However, 48% still consider the U.S. the world’s leading economic power, while 38% point to China. A large majority—76%—continue to see the U.S. as the top military power.
Confidence in Chinese President Xi Jinping remains low. Three-quarters of Americans say they have little or no confidence in Xi to handle world affairs, including 39% who have no confidence at all. While this is a slight improvement from last year, it reflects ongoing distrust.
Tensions over Taiwan also remain on the radar. Sixty-six percent say the issue is important to U.S. national interests, though fewer Americans consider it personally important compared to other conflicts like Russia-Ukraine or the Israel-Hamas war.
The Pew study surveyed 3,605 U.S. adults between March 24 and 30, just as the U.S. and China exchanged a new round of tariffs. The results reflect a slight but notable shift in how Americans perceive their country’s most powerful geopolitical rival.
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