Overview

• China’s net favorability climbed to 8.8 in May, while the U.S. rating fell to –1.5, according to Morning Consult.
• The U.S. image declined sharply after Trump’s inauguration and suffered another setback following his “Liberation Day” tariff announcement.
• China’s approval among international publics turned positive after last year’s U.S. election and accelerated gains since March.
• Jason McMann warns that lower U.S. favorability is already costing the economy through reduced tourism and weakening demand for American assets.
• Mutual accusations of trade deal violations have ended a brief tariff thaw and threaten American firms’ overseas trade and investment.