News exposure and Americans’ perceptions of China in 2019 and 2021

Abstract Purpose The relationship between China and the United States has been in freefall in recent years. Both the Covid-19 pandemic and the U.S.-China trade war contributed to more negative perceptions of China among the American public. This study analyzes how Americans’ news consumption and personal traits affected their general perceptions of China before and after the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 to explore how major international events might influence people’s perceptions of foreign nations. Design/methodology/approach This study relied on data from two national online surveys conducted in the United States in early 2019 (N = 1,250) and 2021 (N = 1,237). Both surveys measure the respondents’ media use, personal traits, and their perceptions of China. Findings The findings indicate that perceptions of China were mostly shaped by exposure to partisan and social media—rather than consumption of mainstream news media. However, these relationships were significantly stronger in 2021 than in 2019, pointing to a growing influence of the U.S. news media in U.S.-China relations. This study also found that partisanship and personal traits were strong predictors of Americans’ attitudes toward China. Practical implications Researchers can learn from this study which variables should be included in surveys that focus on public perceptions of foreign affairs. Social implications This study shows that media effects and personal traits interact in complex ways to shape Americans’ perceptions of China. Originality/value This study analyzes and compares data from two national representative samples, offering insights into how major international events might influence public opinion. It also measures the possible impact of the Chinese social media platform TikTok on Americans’ perceptions of China.