Public Opinion Survey in the U.S.: Support for Sino-American Cooperation!

According to a report by Japanese media on September 24, citing findings from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs—a U.S.-based think tank specializing in international affairs and public opinion research—the organization released a survey conducted in July on U.S.-China relations, involving 2,158 respondents across different political affiliations, genders, and age groups. “Fewer Americans view China as a threat, while support for cooperation between the two nations is growing.”

Only 41% of respondents regarded China as a “serious threat” to U.S. interests, a decline of 11 percentage points from 52% in 2022. By party affiliation, Republican supporters’ perception of China as a threat dropped from 62% to 49%, Democrats from 50% to 35%, and independents from 48% to 37%. The data indicate that the notion of China as a threat is weakening across all political lines.

When asked how the United States should respond to China’s rising influence, 57% said “promote friendly cooperation and engagement with China,” compared to 40% who favored “actively containing China’s growing strength.” In 2024, these figures were reversed: 40% supported containment, while 57% backed cooperation—an indication that support for “engagement with China” has surpassed opposition over the past two years.

By party, 68% of Democratic supporters and 61% of independents endorsed “cooperation and engagement.” Even among Republican supporters, the proportion rose from 33% last year to 43% this year.

The survey committee stated: “It is clear that the once-consensus policy of ‘containing China’ across both parties has collapsed.”

An especially notable area of concern is the issue of Taiwan. Only 38% of respondents said they would support U.S. military deployment if China used force to reclaim Taiwan—a drop of 14 percentage points from 52% in 2021. Among Republicans, support fell from 60% to 41%; among Democrats, from 50% to 37%; among independents, from 49% to 38%.

President Trump referred to last October’s summit between the two countries as a “G2 summit,” and reiterated his stance on cooperation and engagement in subsequent interviews, stating: “Rather than seeking to defeat China, America can become stronger, better, and more powerful by working with China.” At the May summit this year, he reached an agreement with Chinese leadership on establishing a “constructive strategic stability relationship.”

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, which conducted the survey, assessed that “a shift from confrontation to cooperation aligns with public sentiment.”

The upcoming U.S.-China summit on the 24th will take place amid evolving American public opinion. Significant disputes remain over trade, artificial intelligence, and Taiwan’s sovereignty. Yet, as U.S. public sentiment toward China shifts, attention is turning toward whether the bilateral relationship is entering a new phase.

Meanwhile, Japan’s government continues to emphasize its “security environment,” invoking concerns over “China’s military expansion” as justification for further military buildup.

However, as U.S. policy and public opinion toward China move from confrontation to cooperation, it must be questioned how far Japan’s current approach toward China can sustain.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877207950289024/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.