Relations in the Indo-Pacific

Relations with superpowers - 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.

However, there is a divide between young and older Australians on this issue. The majority of 18‒29-year-olds (54%) say the relationship with China is more important, while only 43% of that age group see the relationship with the United States as more important. By contrast, 57% of Australians aged over 30 see Australia’s relationship with the United States as more important, compared with 37% selecting China.

Relations in the Indo-Pacific
Relations with superpowers - US and China

Question

Now about Australia’s relationships with China and the United States. And which relationship do you think is more important to Australia?

This question was last asked in 2020.

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Dotted line indicates change in mode: see Methodology.