A new national security survey shows a sharp generational divide in how Americans view China, with younger adults far less likely than seniors to express concern about Beijing’s activities involving espionage, Taiwan, technology, U.S. land purchases and fentanyl.
According to the Ronald Reagan Institute Summer Survey, 93% of Americans age 65 and older said they were concerned about China’s ability to spy on the United States, compared with 62% of adults ages 18 to 29. The same pattern appeared across several major issues. Younger Americans were also less likely than older Americans to express concern about China’s potential use of force against Taiwan, theft of technology, purchases of U.S. land and alleged role in the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
The findings do not suggest that young Americans are unconcerned about China altogether. Majorities of younger adults still expressed concern across several categories. But compared with older generations, their level of concern was significantly lower, raising questions about how U.S. foreign policy debates may shift as younger voters become a larger share of the electorate.
Nationally, concern about China remains high. More than 80% of Americans said they were concerned about China’s role in fentanyl flows, its ability to spy on Americans and purchases of U.S. land. The survey also found that a majority of Americans believe Taiwan’s security matters to the United States, showing that China remains a central issue in U.S. national security politics.
TRENDING TODAY
The results come at a sensitive moment for U.S.-China relations. Washington and Beijing have spent years clashing over tariffs, technology, military activity, trade, Taiwan and influence in the Indo-Pacific. At the same time, both governments have also tried to keep communication open to avoid a deeper crisis between the world’s two largest economies.
President Donald Trump has taken a more assertive trade posture toward China, including tariffs and negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Still, the administration has also described parts of the relationship as improving after diplomatic and economic talks. That creates a complicated message for voters: China is often described by U.S. officials as America’s main long-term competitor, while leaders also pursue deals and dialogue to reduce tensions.
The generational divide may reflect different life experiences. Older Americans are more likely to view China through the lens of Cold War-era geopolitics, military competition and traditional national security threats. Younger Americans may be more likely to encounter China through technology, consumer products, social media, education, culture and economic competition. A Carnegie Endowment survey earlier this year also found younger Americans were more skeptical of U.S. global dominance and less likely to prioritize maintaining American technological superiority over China. (axios.com)
That does not mean younger voters support Beijing or reject national security concerns. Instead, the polling suggests they may rank threats differently or question whether the United States should respond through military buildup, economic restrictions or global leadership commitments. For policymakers, that matters because public support shapes how far presidents and Congress can go on issues such as Taiwan defense, sanctions, tariffs, technology controls and military spending.
The survey also found differences between Democrats and Republicans over America’s role in the world. Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say the United States should take a leading role internationally. Overall, a majority of Americans still supported greater U.S. engagement in global affairs, but the partisan gap appears to be widening.
For ordinary Americans, the China debate is not only about foreign policy. It affects prices, jobs, supply chains, technology access, data privacy, farmland policy, fentanyl enforcement and the risk of military conflict. A tougher U.S. approach could mean more tariffs, stronger investment restrictions and higher defense spending. A softer approach could reduce short-term economic pressure but may raise concerns among national security officials who warn about espionage, military expansion and economic dependence.
The poll’s most important message may be that the future of U.S.-China policy is not fixed. Older voters currently show stronger concern about China, but younger Americans may push future leaders toward a more selective or less confrontational approach. That shift could reshape debates over Taiwan, trade, technology and America’s role in the world.
Why It Matters
China policy is one of the biggest long-term issues facing the United States, affecting national security, the economy, technology and global power. If younger Americans continue to view the China threat differently from older voters, future presidents and lawmakers may face pressure to rethink how aggressively the U.S. should compete with Beijing.
What Comes Next
Expect China to remain a major campaign issue, especially around Taiwan, fentanyl, spying, tariffs and U.S. land purchases. The bigger question is whether candidates can speak to younger voters who may be less persuaded by traditional national security arguments and more focused on costs, technology, jobs and America’s domestic problems.
The Ronald Reagan Institute promoted its 2026 Summer Survey as a measure of how Americans view global leadership, security and democracy.
🤝 Republicans and Democrats agree that they want peace through strength, want to advance human rights and democracy in the world, and want to see us trading with the world.
The full 2026 Reagan Institute Summer Survey releases tomorrow, June 29, at https://t.co/jYynDgYCaW.… pic.twitter.com/riGqGOMPgq
— Ronald Reagan Institute (RRI) (@ReaganInstitute) June 28, 2026
