70% Americans see China as economic superpower in 10 years: Poll
(THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE)
Updated: 2005-11-15 10:51

A significant number of Americans believe China will be stronger economically than the U.S. in 10 years, according to the latest Harris Interactive poll, and many believe that strength may pose a threat to U.S. interests.

About 70% of U.S. adults say they think China will become an economic superpower in the next 10 years, according to the online poll of 1,822 adults. About 41% think Japan will be as well, followed by the European Union (31%), United Kingdom (25%), India (20%) and Russia (15%).

While just under half of U.S. adults think no countries or regions will be stronger than the U.S. in 10 years, nearly as many U.S. adults (42%) think China will be stronger than the U.S. Only 18% believe Japan will be stronger, and 15% feel the European Union will be.

But the poll indicates Americans are most concerned about the impact China's economic strength may have on the U.S. More than a third of U.S. adults polled say they are very or extremely concerned about China's economic strength and 53% of those polled think China will have a negative effect on the future of the U.S. economy.

Other countries that are perceived to have more of a negative effect than positive effect on the U.S. economy include India (36% vs. 15%) and Russia (25% vs. 13%).

Meanwhile, the poll finds most Americans feel it would be in the best interests of the U.S. if certain other countries or regions are encouraged to grow and prosper. For the traditionally strong U.S. allies, the United Kingdom (47% vs. 7%), Japan (40% vs. 25%) and the European Union (29% vs. 22%) are thought to have more of a potential positive effect than negative effect on the U.S. economy.