Past Events

Public Opinion and the Future of US Foreign Policy

PAST EVENT

An expert roundtable convened in partnership with Bridging the Gap explores what public opinion data can indicate about the future of US foreign policy.

American flags lined up in front of the US Capitol ahead of President Joe Biden's inauguration on January 18, 2021.
Alex Brandon / AP

China and the World: How Citizens View Their Country's Global Future

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Join us as we discuss the results of a new survey of Chinese public opinion on foreign policy and what these findings mean for US-China relations and China's role in the world.

Leslie Vinjamuri, Yawei Liu, Dina Smeltz, Paul Heer on the Council stage
Ana Miyares Photography

Commentary

As Trump Goes to China, What Do Americans Say About Tariffs, Iran and World Standing?

In the News
NPR
Craig Kafura

Americans largely view China as an economic rival seeking global dominance, according to a new Chicago Council-NPR-Ipsos poll.

United States and Chinese flags
Ng Han Guan / AP
Public Opinion

Will Public Opinion Pressure Lawmakers to Vote on Iran?

Analysis
by Dina Smeltz

A 60-day period allowing Trump to wage war without congressional approval expires May 1. How legislators respond could influence the midterms.

Protesters hold signs spelling out, "No War," outside the White House, Thursday June 20, 2019, in Washington, after President Donald Trump tweeted that "Iran made a very big mistake" by shooting down a U.S. surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz in Iran.
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Public Opinion

Research

Americans Say US Tariffs on China Have Been Bad for Both Nations

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Craig Kafura

As Trump and Xi meet in Beijing, majorities say they would favor a deal that lowers tariffs in exchange for larger agricultural goods purchases by China.

China Shipping containers sit stacked up at the Long Beach Container Terminal
Damian Dovarganes / AP
Public Opinion

Americans Say the Iran War Is Bad for the United States

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

But Republicans stand in stark contrast, favoring the Trump administration’s actions in Iran.

A man waves an Iranian flag under a billboard with graphic showing Strait of Hormuz and sewn lips of USPresident Donald Trump
Vahid Salemi / AP
Public Opinion

Experts

Joshua Busby 

Senior Nonresident Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
headshot of Joshua Busby

Daniel W. Drezner 

Senior Nonresident Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Council expert Daniel W. Drezner