US-China relations: How does the US public view China?

5/6/21 8:00PM

This week the United States' top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, strongly rejected the idea that the US and China were entering a "cold war" in an interview with the Financial Times — despite tensions between the two countries remaining elevated.

‍China marches on

‍Whether Blinken is right or not, China's economy is marching on, and is likely to become the world's largest in the next 8-10 years, surpassing the US. That economic progress all but guarantees China's role as a global superpower for likely much of the rest of the 21st Century, and it means the US-China relationship is arguably the most important of any two countries in the world.

For Biden, and future US Presidents, walking the tightrope between showing strength on important issues such as human rights, trade and cyber security and engaging amiably has become more difficult, as US public opinion has shifted. Data from YouGov reveals that in 2017 roughly 10% of respondents polled would identify China as an "enemy" of the US. Today that number is closer to 35% — seemingly a result of the trade war that started in 2018 and also the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The UAE’s OPEC exit will hit the group in the barrels

After just shy of 60 years in OPEC, its membership even predating its status as a nation-state, the United Arab Emirates yesterday announced its shocking departure from the oil production group, effective May 1, as the knock-on effects of the Iran war continue to play out across the Middle East and the energy landscape.

For context, the UAE produces the third-highest amount of oil in the group, per April data and OPEC’s latest set of annual statistics.

According to the cartel’s 2025 Annual Statistical Bulletin, the OPEC group was collectively exporting some 19 million barrels of crude oil a day last year, with the United Arab Emirates accounting for some 14% of that daily output.

UAExit means UAExit

The nation, whose energy minister told Reuters yesterday that the decision was taken “after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production” and wasn’t made following discussions with any other country, made up a healthy share of the group’s total confirmed crude oil reserves, as well.

Of the 12 nations in the core group, which was founded by just five oil superpowers back in September 1960, only two (Iraq and Saudi Arabia) exported more barrels of crude oil daily, pumping out 3.36 million and 6.05 million barrels, respectively, each day to nations around the world.

For its part, the UAE said it will “continue its responsible role by gradually and thoughtfully increasing production, in line with demand and market conditions,” per the official state news agency. Clearly, the nation now wants a little more control of just how much oil it can pump around the world, with the UAE having to eat a large proportion of lost revenues due to its healthy abundance and OPEC restrictions.