American Disapproval of China Hits Record High: Pew Survey

Donald Trump Xi Jinping Thomas Peter/Getty Images)

A record number of Americans hold an unfavorable view of China, according to a new Pew Research Center survey, and half want the country held accountable for harm caused by the coronavirus.

According to the poll, 73 percent of U.S. adults see China unfavorably, an increase of 26 percentage points since 2018. Fifty percent believe the U.S. “should hold China responsible” for the virus, “even if it means worsening relations with China.”

The biggest splits in opinion exist between Republicans and Democrats and young Americans compared to older Americans. Of those aged 50 and older, 81 percent view China negatively, compared to 56 percent of those under 30. Less than half of Democrats — 37 percent — said China should be held responsible for the outbreak of the virus, while 71 percent of Republicans said the same.

President Donald Trump has been vocal in blaming China for starting the coronavirus pandemic, along with the country’s initial effort to prevent world health officials from learning about it.

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) reiterated some of that criticism during a Friday congressional hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci. “We all know not only did China lie, they corrupted the World Health Organization. The Chinese community party wouldn’t let you in when President Trump wanted to send medical experts into China before it spread into the United States. Why aren’t we having a hearing on that?” Scalise said.