Most Americans Want Cooperation With China, Survey Finds

Americans across the political spectrum agree on something surprising: they want more cooperation with China, not less.

A new national survey by civic group Committee of 100 found bipartisan support for greater US-China collaboration, even as Washington implements stricter policies on visas, research partnerships, and tariffs. The study, conducted in June 2025 and released this month, reveals 65% of Democrats and 63% of Republicans support reducing tensions between the two nations.

The timing matters. The survey came shortly after President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcements, a period of heightened trade friction between the world's two largest economies.

More than half of survey respondents expressed concern about the language political leaders use when discussing China, recognizing its negative impact on Americans of Chinese descent. The study highlights how inflammatory rhetoric can fuel discrimination against Asian-American communities.

The survey partnered with the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Centre and focused specifically on non-Chinese Americans to better understand attitudes affecting Chinese-American communities. This approach helped researchers identify both progress and persistent challenges.

One concerning finding: 27% of respondents believed Chinese-Americans were more loyal to China than the United States. Study authors attribute this misconception partly to sensationalized news coverage about espionage cases.

The Ripple Effect

The research revealed something powerful about the impact of precise language. Survey participants were randomly shown fictitious news articles about intellectual property theft, with one version blaming "China" and another blaming the "Chinese government."

Those who read "China is responsible" were twice as likely to express negative views about legal Chinese immigration and question the loyalty of Chinese-Americans. The group that read about the "Chinese government" showed significantly more tolerance and nuance in their responses.

This simple distinction demonstrates how careful word choice by politicians, media figures, and community leaders can reduce prejudice and misconceptions. Language shapes attitudes, and attitudes shape how communities treat their neighbors.

On academic collaboration, fewer than one quarter of respondents supported broad bans on Chinese students and researchers entering the US. Americans recognize the value of international research partnerships and educational exchange, even during periods of geopolitical tension.

The findings suggest Americans hold more nuanced views than political rhetoric might indicate, favoring cooperation on shared challenges while remaining thoughtful about legitimate security concerns.