A new Reuters/Ipsos survey has found that bipartisan majorities of American citizens favour increased tariffs on Chinese goods and believe that the US needs to be better prepared to tackle military threats from the rising superpower.
The nationwide poll collected responses from 1,005 adults, including 443 Democrats and 346 Republicans. The two-day poll concluded on Tuesday, exposing Americans’ deep worries about China’s rise, at a time when bilateral ties have strained to their lowest point in decades.
Results
Notably, around 66% of respondents said they were more likely to support a presidential candidate who “supports additional tariffs on Chinese imports” in the 2024 election.
Another 66% of respondents — including 58% of Democrats and 81% of Republicans — agreed that the US “needs to do more to prepare for military threats from China.”
A week before the first GOP presidential debate, a NEW Reuters/Ipsos poll shows a big majority of Americans support tariffs against China imports.
— The Coalition for a Prosperous America (@cpa_tradereform) August 16, 2023
66% say they are more likely to back a candidate who will impose additional duties on Chinese goods ➔ https://t.co/inYp3irj4e pic.twitter.com/VOsABcMJ0g
Seventy-five per cent of Americans had a negative view of China, while 84% saw President Xi Jinping at least slightly unfavourably. Whereas, around 65% believed that the Chinese government was trying to influence the US election.
While 30% of the respondents supported sending military equipment to Taiwan to deter a possible Chinese attack, 42% were against deploying US troops in the island’s defence. Meanwhile, 20% said they didn’t know.
The sentiment reveals the political challenges facing any president seeking US military involvement in a conflict involving China.
Hardening Stances Against China
The bipartisan concern surrounding China is also reflected in the increasingly combative stances Republican presidential candidates have taken toward China.
In recent months, Republican White House hopefuls, including former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, have attacked China regularly, attempting to demonstrate their competence in being prepared to deal with America’s most challenging foe.