Mixed Views on Strength of U.S. Versus China

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  • Two in 5 voters (42%) say that the United States has a stronger economy than China.
    • This is down 11 points from February 2025.
    • One in 5 voters (22%) disagree and say that China has a stronger economy, down 7 points from February 2025.
    • Another 1 in 5 voters (20%) say the 2 countries are about equal economically.
    • By a 57% to 16% margin, Republicans say the U.S. has a stronger economy than China.
    • Democrats are split, with 30% saying the U.S. economy is stronger, and 28% saying China’s is stronger.
  • When comparing military strength, 62% say that the United States also has a stronger military than China.
    • Just 8% say that China has a stronger military.
    • Fourteen percent (14%) say the 2 countries are about equal.
    • A large majority (74%) of Republicans believe the U.S. military is stronger than China’s.
    • A smaller majority (54%) of Democrats feel the same.
  • When comparing AI research and development, voters are divided: 33% say China is leading the world in this space, and 32% say the U.S. is leading.
    • Seventeen percent (17%) say the 2 countries are about equal, and 18% are not sure.
    • Again, more Republicans (41%) than Democrats (25%) say the United States is leading in AI research and development.
    • By a 39% to 25% margin, Democrats say China is leading.
  • When looking at the levels of trade and investment in Latin America and Africa, 30% of voters say the United States has greater levels.
    • Slightly fewer voters (27%) say China has greater levels.
    • A small percentage (12%) say the 2 countries have about equal levels of trade and investment in Latin America and Africa.
    • About a third (31%) of voters are not sure.
    • By a 37% to 20% margin, Republicans believe that the U.S. has greater levels of trade than China in Latin America and Africa.
    • Conversely, by a 35% to 25% margin, Democrats say China’s trade levels are greater.
    • Some experts say China now dominates trade.

This data is from a Napolitan News Service survey of 1,000 Registered Voters conducted online by Scott Rasmussen, May 18-19, 2026. RMG Research, Inc., conducted the field work for the survey. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1.