Relations with the US and China

Good relations with the US and China

The public debate surrounding Australia’s ties to the world’s two largest economies — China and the United States — has only been sharpened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Australians appear to be leaning towards the United States. In 2020, more than half of the adult Australian population (55%) say Australia’s relationship with the United States is more important than the relationship with China.

Only four in ten Australians (40%) today say China is the more important relationship. The gap between the two superpowers on this question is now 15 points, where three years ago they were inseparable: in 2017, 45% said the US relationship was more important, compared with 43% choosing the China relationship.

Relations with the US and China
Good relations with the US and China

Question

Do you think it is possible or not possible for Australia to have a good relationship with China and a good relationship with the United States at the same time?

This question was last asked in 2018.

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2013

2018

Dashed line indicates change in mode: see Methodology.

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