China is an enemy of the U.S. for a growing number of Americans, Pew poll shows

Americans overwhelmingly hold an unfavorable view of China, with an increasing number labeling the nation as an enemy of the United States, according to a Pew Research Center survey released Wednesday.

About 42% of those polled labeled China as an enemy of the U.S.— the highest share since the Washington, D.C.-based think tank began asking the question in 2021— up from just a quarter two years ago.

The survey found that for the fifth year in a row, about four in five Americans saw the country in an unfavorable light, while 43% viewed it very unfavorably.

Half the respondents identified China as a competitor, while 6% saw it as a partner to the U.S. 

The polling results come at a contentious time between the world's top two economies and ahead of the U.S. presidential elections.

Democratic incumbent Joe Biden as well as Republican rival Donald Trump have signaled tough stances on China, amid a ramp-up in trade restrictions, sanctions, and proposed bans on Chinese companies such as TikTok owner ByteDance.

These policies appear to be in line with public sentiment. Pew Research's findings showed that about half of the Americans polled think curbing China's power and influence should be a top foreign policy priority for the U.S.

"They are likewise critical of China's impact on the U.S. economy, describing its influence as large and negative," Pew said in its report. The survey also found that those who say the current U.S. economic situation is bad are more likely to blame China and hold unfavorable opinions of the country.

About 71% of the respondents said China had grown more influential globally in recent years, with 61% of the Americans concerned about the country's regional disputes with its neighbors. 

Opinions on China greatly