Amid Trump’s War, Americans Changing Their Attitude Towards China? Decoding The Sentiment

Last Updated:April 15, 2026, 19:48 IST

What is the change? Has US President Donald Trump's views also changed? News18 explains the trend

American public opinion toward China is undergoing a slow but measurable shift toward increased favorability, even as overall views remain predominantly negative.

What is the change? Has US President Donald Trump’s views also changed? News18 explains

Trump and China

US President Donald Trump claimed that China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, saying he had personally raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping and received assurances in return. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Beijing was supportive of his efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, a critical global oil route that has been at the centre of rising regional tensions.

“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also — and the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to — far better than anyone else!!!" Trump wrote.

The shift in American sentiment

The trend is largely driven by a significant softening of attitudes among Democrats and younger Americans, contrasted against more stable, critical views from Republicans.

Recent data from the Pew Research Center and Gallup highlight several key changes in how Americans perceive China, according to CNN report.

• Positive views of China in the U.S. rose to 27% in early 2026, up from 21% in 2025 and nearly doubling from a record low of 14% in 2023.
• This increase is almost entirely driven by Democrats, whose positive views rose by 8 points over the last year. Republican sentiment remains largely unchanged and highly critical.
• The share of Americans who label China an “enemy" rather than a “competitor" fell to 28%, down from 33% in 2025 and 42% in 2024.
• Despite more positive cultural or diplomatic views, a majority of Americans (46%) still believe China benefits more from the bilateral trade relationship than the US.

The ‘Trump Effect’ on domestic and global views

Domestic and international observers attribute these shifts to the foreign policy of the second Trump administration.

As President Trump engages in aggressive trade wars and tariffs against both allies (like Canada and Germany) and foes, China has sought to portray itself as a “stable and responsible" world power.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, China surpassed the U.S. in global leadership approval in 2025 (36% to 31%). This global trend is reportedly influencing American perceptions, particularly among younger users of popular Chinese cultural exports like Xiaohongshu (RedNote) and Labubu figurines.

Strategic partners like Canada and Germany have shown a significant pivot in favoring China over the U.S., with many respondents in those countries now viewing China as a more dependable partner than the U.S. under Trump.

While negative sentiment still dominates (61% of Americans hold an unfavorable view as of October 2025), the recent data indicates a gradual “softening" of hostility as Americans recalibrate their views of China relative to a more isolationist US foreign policy.

KEY FAQs

What is the current trend in American views on China?

According to surveys by Pew Research Center and others, overall views remain mostly negative, but there is a gradual softening, with a small rise in Americans expressing somewhat favourable opinions toward China.

Why is favourability increasing slightly?

Reduced intensity of trade tensions compared to the peak under Donald Trump. More nuanced public discussions distinguishing the Chinese people from the government

Shifting focus to other global issues (like domestic concerns or other conflicts).

Does this mean the US sees China as less of a rival?

Even with slightly improved sentiment, most Americans still view China as a major competitor or threat. The shift reflects mild softening, not a fundamental change in strategic perception.

With agency inputs

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