The American public’s foreign policy attitudes demonstrate support for the pivot to Asia and for free trade agreements and sustained forward military presence.
Assessment of the 2014 Chicago Council Survey
The Chicago Council’s 2014 survey on the American public’s foreign policy attitudes demonstrates support for the pivot to Asia and for the two most important pillars of the policy: free trade agreements and sustained forward military presence. Japan stands out as the most trusted US partner in the region and an important global player in its own right. Americans also recognize the growing friction between Japan and China. Positive attitudes towards Japan increased slightly since the 2012 survey, while attitudes towards China decreased over the same period. In general, Americans see security problems in Asia in the same way as Japanese citizens, but not with the same intensity. Overall, the American public's desire for continued engagement with Japan and Asia stands in contrast to the ambivalence expressed about the Middle East.
