Mixed Views on Strength of U.S. Versus China

Publication Date: 05/20/2026 3:29 PM CST

Mixed Views on Strength of U.S. Versus China

Publication: 05/20/2026 3:29 PM CST

Member Content

The content you are trying to access is currently only available to Gold Circle Members. If you are a member, please log in to view.

To learn more about becoming a Gold Circle Member, please refer to our membership page.

Full Toplines: RESTRICTED

Full Crosstabs URL: RESTRICTED

Toplines are free for use after embargo, if any. Crosstabs are confidential and not for public release. However, you may cite specific demographic data from these reports.
For any data released, please cite Napolitan News Service.

Public Content

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.