U.S.-China tensions have been on the rise , as Republicans and Democrats alike have condemned the Chinese Communist Party for human rights abuses, unfair trade practices, violations of international law and now violating U.S. sovereignty with a spy balloon. Here are Five Facts on the state of U.S.-China relations.
1. The House of Representatives unanimously voted to condemn China for sending a spy balloon over U.S. airspace.
There was swift and bipartisan outrage last week when a Chinese spy balloon was spotted flying over the U.S. In a heartening display of unity, the House of Representatives voted unanimously this week to pass a resolution condemning China for sending the balloon. The resolution is the latest in a series of actions the U.S. has taken to respond to the Chinese Communist Party’s increasingly confrontational approach on the world stage.
2. The U.S. and Chinese economies account for 42% of the world’s economic activity.
In 2022, the U.S. economy had a $23 trillion GDP, the largest in the world, while China came in second with a $17.7 trillion GDP.
3. U.S.-China trade hit a record high $690 billion in 2022.
Even as U.S.-China relations have become strained, they have become more and more interdependent trading partners. In 2022, trade between the two countries totaled $690 billion, a record. This is despite ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing over unfair trade practices by China.
4. A record 82% of Americans now hold a negative view of China.
As China has taken on a more confrontational approach to dealing with the U.S., a large majority of Americans have soured on the country. In 2022, 82% of respondents in a Pew poll of U.S. adults expressed negative views towards China, and only 12% had favorable views. Contrast that to 2011, when 51% of Americans held favorable views towards China, and only 36% expressed negative views.
5. China and the U.S. maintain two of the world’s three most powerful militaries.
The U.S. military has long been the world’s most powerful military force, but China has made significant investments in closing the gap. In the latest rankings of military strength by Global Firepower, the U.S. ranks first, and China third, with both countries now in possession of a range of advanced nuclear weaponry, submarines, missiles, and other potent tools of war.
