Today, PAX sapiens released the latest research from its U.S.-China issue area.
Ahead of a potential President Xi Jinping visit to D.C. later in September, we’re pleased to share new insights focused on Americans’ attitudes toward China and on how they want Washington to deal with Beijing. Notably, the survey finds broad support for cooperation, targeted competition and crisis restraint, with these preferences cutting across pro-engagement and hardline camps.
In the survey of more than 1,000 adults, fielded by NORC at the University of Chicago in May 2026:
How Americans divide:
- The survey identifies four recurring groups — Engagement Boosters (30%), Balanced Pragmatists (26%), Economic Hardliners (23%) and the Uncommitted (20%), showing that Americans do not sort neatly into hawkish and pro-engagement camps.
- Even among Economic Hardliners, 77% support cooperation on issues of mutual benefit and 69% support direct talks after a military accident.
- Cooperation and security: 66% back mutually beneficial cooperation, and 55% favor restrictions on sensitive technology exports. 45% support both. Only 31% support reducing imports from China if doing so means higher prices for American consumers.
- Crisis communication: 65% support direct talks after a hypothetical US-China military accident. About nine in ten of those who favor a larger US military presence also support talks.
- People vs. government: 52% view the Chinese people favorably, compared to just 10% for Beijing.
- Improving ties: China’s image would improve if Beijing curbs fentanyl precursors (69%), eases trade restrictions (59%) or expands educational exchanges (50%).
Overall, the 2026 findings extend a pattern of shifting public opinion first documented in our 2025 survey, from sharper hostility toward China to measured skepticism and continued pragmatism.
Read the full report to explore the data and consider policy implications.
