Americans not optimistic about U.S.-China Cooperation

Washington, DC, April 11, 2023 – A recent survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Conference Board shows Americans are not optimistic about U.S.-China relations generally and would like to see tougher policies put in place in dealing with China.

Detailed Findings

Americans are divided about how to describe the U.S.-China relationship, with a plurality describing U.S.-China relations as adversarial (38%), or a country we are in conflict with, while 26% would describe the relationship as a rivalry, and 17% would describe it as a necessary partnership. Just 1% say China is an ally to the United States. Four in five Americans describe U.S.-China relations as bad, while just 16% call it good. For a comparison, a majority of Americans (60%) would describe Russia as an adversary, 14% say it is a rivalry, and 7% describe Russia as a necessary partner. Americans are more optimistic about relations with countries – more than seven in ten view relationships with France and Canada as an ally or a necessary partner.

When it comes to specific issues, three-quarters of Americans would support negotiating arms control agreements between the U.S. and China (73%), and a majority of Americans would also support banning Chinese-owned social media companies within the U.S. (57%), increasing tariffs on Chinese imports (56%), and restricting the exchange of scientific research between the U.S. and China (52%). Americans have softer views on Chinese students, with 43% supporting limiting the number of Chinese students studying in the U.S.

Americans are split on what the best approach to China, with 49% saying that building a strong relationship with China on economic issues is more important, while 47% saying it is more important to get tougher with China on economic issues.

About the Study

This Conference Board/Ipsos Poll was conducted April 7 – April 9, 2023 by Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,016 adults.

The survey was conducted using KnowledgePanel®, the most well-established online probability-based panel that is representative of the adult U.S. population. Our recruitment process employs a scientifically developed addressed-based sampling methodology using the latest Delivery Sequence File of the USPS – a database with full coverage of all delivery points in the US. Households invited to join the panel are randomly selected from all available households in the U.S. Persons in the sampled households are invited to join and participate in the panel. Those selected who do not already have internet access are provided a tablet and internet connection at no cost to the panel member. Those who join the panel and who are selected to participate in a survey are sent a unique password-protected log-in used to complete surveys online. As a result of our recruitment and sampling methodologies, samples from KnowledgePanel cover all households regardless of their phone or internet status and findings can be reported with a margin of sampling error and projected to the general population.

The data for the total sample were weighted to adjust for gender by age, race/ethnicity, education, Census region, metropolitan status, and household income, and political party identification. The demographic benchmarks came from the 2022 Current Population Survey (CPS) and the political party identification benchmark came from recent ABC News/Washington Post telephone polls.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Chris Jackson
Senior Vice President, US
Public Affairs
+1 202 420-2025
[email protected]

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