Most Americans favour cooperation with China in spite of Washington’s tougher stance on visas, research collaboration and tariffs, according to a new survey by the Committee of 100 (C100) civic group.

The results of the polling, conducted in June 2025 shortly after US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff onslaught and released this month, found relatively broad support for greater cooperation between Washington and Beijing on “diplomatic issues and policies that affect both countries”.

More than half of those surveyed also expressed concern about the rhetoric Trump uses when talking about US-China relations, given the negative impact it can have on those of Chinese descent.

Trump, particularly during the pandemic, used phrases criticised as racist, including “China virus” and “Kung flu”. He has also mocked Asian accents on the campaign trail and said former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s name “sounds Chinese”, although he is not.