From Vox · Caitlin Dewey · · 2m
Why Americans are warming to China
More Americans view China favorably than five years ago, even as Trump shifts his tone toward Beijing.
In brief
More Americans view China favorably than five years ago, even as Trump shifts his tone toward Beijing. American sentiment toward China has improved markedly over the past five years, driven by changing attitudes among young people, fading pandemic memories, and a cultural shift away from viewing great power rivalry as…
Trump rolls out red carpet for Xi
President Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping with military honors at Joint Base Andrews on September 23, 2026, a stark contrast to when Trump once called Xi his enemy.
Trade war pause, bigger issues delayed
The two countries extended their trade war pause during the state visit, but punted on technology restrictions and critical mineral access to future negotiations.
AI safety hopes remain slim
Tech executives attending the White House state dinner hope Trump and Xi will agree to safeguard AI development, but substantive progress seems unlikely at this ceremonial meeting.
Americans' views of China improving
Recent polls show Americans feel markedly more positive about China than five years ago, with the largest gains among young people. Current sentiment matches levels from ten years ago, before Trump's first trade war.
Trump's changed tone helps shift views
Trump no longer portrays the US-China relationship as an existential rivalry between great powers, a rhetorical shift that appears to have influenced how Americans view the country.
Pandemic memories fade, views recover
American sentiment toward China has steadily improved since the Covid-19 pandemic as memories of that period recede, and foreign policy issues like Taiwan remain low priority for most voters.
Young Americans embrace coexistence
Younger Americans grew up with Chinese cultural exports like TikTok and Labubu, and are less wedded to notions of American primacy and more comfortable with great power coexistence.
“Younger Americans are less wedded to notions of American primacy and more comfortable with coexistence”
China faces its own serious problems
Despite warming American views, China grapples with economic slowdown, a mounting demographic crisis, and widespread political repression that remain unresolved.
The essence
American sentiment toward China has improved markedly over the past five years, driven by changing attitudes among young people, fading pandemic memories, and a cultural shift away from viewing great power rivalry as inevitable.
