About 40% of Americans see China as top US enemy in new poll

It’s the fourth straight year for China to top the Gallup poll of perceived enemies of the US; Russia was second
Gallup said 5 per cent of the roughly 1,000 adults taking part in the survey called the United States its own worst enemy

US-China relations

Kyodo

Published: 6:49am, 19 Mar 2024

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Americans continue to perceive China as the biggest adversary of the United States, followed by Russia, while Canada and Japan share the highest favourable rating of 83 per cent, a Gallup poll released on Monday showed.

In the telephone survey conducted in February, 41 per cent of respondents said China when asked to name one country they considered to be their nation’s “greatest enemy today.” It is the fourth straight year for China to top the perceived enemies list, though the number declined from 50 per cent in 2023.

Russia and Iran followed at 26 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively. While the figure for Russia also dwindled from 32 per cent in 2023, that of Iran jumped from 2 per cent a year earlier.

The poll found that 67 per cent of Republicans and 40 per cent of independents recognise China as the country’s biggest foe, but only 18 per cent of Democrats feel the same way, with 48 per cent of them naming Russia as the primary adversary instead.

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Gallup said 5 per cent of the roughly 1,000 adults taking part in the survey called the United States its own worst enemy, the highest level recorded by the Washington-based advisory firm since it started asking the question in 2001.

North Korea followed the United States at 4 per cent, which fell from 7 per cent in 2023 – having already declined from 51 per cent in 2018.

Of those named as favourable, Canada and Japan were followed by Britain, Germany, France and Taiwan, coming in at 82 per cent, 79 per cent, 78 per cent and 77 per cent, respectively.