Polls Show Policymakers Out of Step with Public on Tariffs, China Trade

Key Takeaways

• Openness to warmer bilateral relations may be rising among Americans of both political parties.
• Polls show dissatisfaction with the consequences of tariffs and openness to bilateral economic engagement but also support for targeted national security restrictions.
• While China remains a lightning rod for bipartisan hawks, public sentiment — and election issues like affordability — might create more room for a public conversation about a competitive but functional US-China relationship.