Americans View China as the Enemy but are Split on Tariffs
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Key Takeaways
- The ongoing tariff standoff between the USA and China is causing a debate about America’s overall stance toward China.
- Trump supporters and those on the right view China as a threat and support stringent tariffs to reduce its economic influence in the U.S. and the world market.
- Anti-Trump voters and those cautious of market and price impact decry Trump’s tariff strategy, calling it reckless and shortsighted.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
9,500
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
2 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
Public sentiment toward China has hardened. With Trump’s imposition of a 125% tariff on Chinese imports—and China responding with an 84% retaliatory hike—American voters are divided. MIG Reports analysis shows 44.1% of voters oppose the tariff strategy, 39.3% support it, and 16.6% express mixed or cautious views.
Patterns show an ideological and class-based realignment, as rural America, national security hawks, and economic populists increasingly converge behind economic nationalism. Market-aligned centrists and liberal urban voters, meanwhile, emphasize inflation risk and trade stability.
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Trade War Puts Spotlight on China
The Trump administration escalated the trade war in April 2025 by raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%. China countered with an 84% tariff on U.S. imports. Simultaneously, Trump paused higher tariffs for most other countries, a tactical decision that further isolates China. This aggression toward Beijing paired with diplomacy elsewhere sent markets soaring but inflamed debate across the political spectrum.
Tariff opponents warn of consumer price spikes and global supply chain disruptions. Supporters applaud Trump's deal making abilities and mock China. But beyond immediate economic friction, the broader divide lies in how Americans view China’s role in the decline of U.S. manufacturing and geopolitical leverage.
— Rasmussen Reports (@Rasmussen_Poll) April 9, 2025
Economic Nationalism from the Ground Up
Roughly 39.2% of Americans in MIG Reports data samples support the tariffs. This sentiment is concentrated among rural, working-class, and MAGA-aligned voters. They say tariffs are necessary to revive domestic industry, secure supply chains, and rebalance a trade relationship long skewed in China’s favor. The narrative is grounded in real-world experiences of job loss, factory closures, and economic stagnation.
Many in this camp recall the Reagan-era use of tariffs against Japan and see history repeating—this time with China as the dominant exporter. They welcome stringent tariffs as a strategic lever to enforce fair trade and deter further dependency on an adversarial power. Calls for a return to “Made in the USA” manufacturing are growing. They stem from communities hollowed out by global trade deals and decades of bipartisan neglect.
Opposition to Tariffs Laden with Inflation Anxiety
A larger 44.1% of voters oppose the tariff strategy. This group includes urban professionals, market-oriented centrists, and Democratic-leaning voters. They fear tariffs will worsen inflation, harm consumer confidence, and fracture global trade networks. They cite rising costs for electronics, clothing, and automotive parts as likely outcomes.
This group does not view tariffs as leverage, but as a blunt instrument. They warn the economic burden will fall hardest on middle-income consumers and small businesses and cause a recession. They would prefer multilateralism and WTO-aligned pressure rather than unilateral escalation.
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Strategic Middle Ground is Cautious
Roughly 16.6% of voters hold more ambivalent or nuanced views. This group is often center-right professionals, independent business owners, or national security realists. They recognize the legitimacy of grievances with China but are wary of unintended consequences. They support targeted tariffs on sectors critical to defense and tech but caution against sweeping, across-the-board measures.
They point to vulnerabilities in rare earth minerals, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors, emphasizing the need for domestic investment and policy innovation. They want China held accountable, but not at the cost of American financial stability.
Political and Partisan Undercurrents
Tariff sentiment tracks closely with partisan lines. Trump’s base sees the trade war as fulfillment of his long-standing economic nationalism. Democrats frame it as reckless and placing the burden on consumers. They also claim contradictions in Trump’s actions—including his use of Chinese manufacturers for MAGA merchandise.
There’s also historical irony. Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders once echoed similar grievances about trade imbalances and offshoring. Now, it’s the right embracing economic protectionism as doctrine. Tariffs, like many political issues, boils down to supporting or opposing Trump for many Americans.
Incredible clip from 1996. Nancy Pelosi on tariffs and the trade deficit with China.
— MAZE (@mazemoore) April 3, 2025
"On this day, your member of Congress could have drawn the line to say to the President of the United States, do something about this US-China trade relationship that is a job loser for the… pic.twitter.com/DFlQ9wWSKh
Economic Class and Geographic Polarization
The divide also runs along economic and geographic lines. Rural and blue-collar voters in deindustrialized regions support the tariffs as necessary disruption. They fear continued irrelevance more than higher prices. They want jobs and factories restored in America.
Urban professionals and those with financial exposure to international markets view the tariffs as destabilizing. Their anxiety is about the risk to inflation, interest rates, and portfolio performance.
National Security and Strategic Resentment
Those who support Trump’s trade strategy consistently frame it in national security terms. They cite China’s dominance in rare earth minerals, pharmaceuticals, and tech components. The concern extends beyond economics into the realm of sovereignty: Can the U.S. defend itself if critical industries rely on adversaries?
A recurring theme among these voters is that China is an enemy and infiltrator. From spy balloons, embedded international students, to intellectual property theft, many believe the CCP poses a clear and present danger. This intensifies support for aggressive decoupling.
Great idea. https://t.co/JNSo8RC86U
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) April 9, 2025
Future Strategy
For those on the right, several conclusions follow:
- Sustain pressure on China. The 125% tariff, while extreme, signals resolve. Use it as leverage to force meaningful concessions or a reordering of trade norms.
- Target strategic industries. Expand domestic production in defense-critical sectors through targeted subsidies and tax incentives.
- Negotiate bilaterally. Forge deals with aligned nations (Japan, South Korea, Israel) to isolate China economically without resorting to multilateral entanglements.
- Rebuild American self-reliance. COVID revealed supply chain vulnerabilities. A sovereign industrial base isn’t just patriotic—it’s essential.
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