Most Americans Support Tough Stance Toward China on Human Rights, Economic Issues
Fewer adults have confidence in Joe Biden to handle the U.S.-China relationship than other foreign policy issues.
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Fewer adults have confidence in Joe Biden to handle the U.S.-China relationship than other foreign policy issues.
Americans are divided in their outlooks, mainly along ideological lines, but are more united on opinions about China’s place in the world.
The U.S. stands out to many around the world as the country their nation can rely on most. But substantial shares in some countries see it as their greatest threat.
More countries still name the U.S. as the foremost economic power than say the same of China. And, even in nations that welcome China’s economic growth, few feel similarly about its growing military might.
Unfavorable opinion of China in the U.S. is at its highest level in 14 years of polling. Americans also increasingly see China as a threat, and more than half see friction in the current bilateral economic relationship.
Across 25 countries surveyed in 2018, at least a plurality of respondents in nine nations have favorable views of both the U.S. and China.
Majorities in all but one of 10 European countries had no confidence in Xi Jinping to do the right thing regarding world affairs in a 2018 survey.
People in Russia, India and Germany stand out for being more likely than those in other countries to say their country is playing a bigger role in world affairs.
A median of 53% in five Middle Eastern and North African countries also see Iran playing a more important role, but fewer say Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have gained influence.
China is particularly well-liked in Latin America and the Middle East, while the U.S. fares better in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
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