American views on China soften ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Ahead of a crucial summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, a notable shift in American public opinion towards China has emerged. A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre reveals a significant softening of attitudes, with positive sentiment nearly doubling since 2023, indicating a warming trend in how Americans perceive the world's second-largest economy.

While the majority of Americans continue to view China primarily as a competitor rather than a partner, the data suggests a decrease in the number identifying China as an adversary. This shift, documented in a survey conducted in March and released this week, indicates a nuanced change in perception, moving away from outright hostility for a segment of the population.

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Today, 27 per cent of Americans have a positive opinion of China. That has risen 6 percentage points since last year and nearly doubled since 2023.

"Today, 27 percent of Americans have a positive opinion of China. That has risen 6 percentage points since last year and nearly doubled since 2023," the Pew report stated. This uptick in positive sentiment, though still representing a minority view, marks a departure from the predominantly unfavorable opinions that have characterized U.S.-China relations for much of the past decade.

Laura Silver, an associate director at Pew, commented on the findings, suggesting that "China may seem less threatening to people these days." She noted a particular decline among Democrats in the share of people who describe China as an enemy. This evolving sentiment landscape precedes a high-stakes meeting that will undoubtedly be influenced by these changing public moods.

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China may seem less threatening to people these days. In the US, the share of people who describe China as an enemy has fallen since last year – particularly among Democrats.