A new poll conducted by USA Today and Suffolk University has revealed a complex picture of American attitudes toward foreign policy, as the survey of 1,000 registered US voters found strong support for sending military aid to Israel and Ukraine but also exposed deep divides over the United States’ broader global leadership role.
“The survey found double-digit support for aid to Israel in its battle against the terrorist group Hamas, 58%-35%, and majority support for sending more aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, 51%-43%. Additional military aid to Taiwan, which faces a continuing threat from China, was backed by a smaller margin, 43%-39%,” USA Today reported.
However, Americans were split down the middle on whether the US should actively lead on the world stage or focus inward: 46% endorsed global leadership, while 47% wanted domestic prioritization.
This debate highlighted sharp generational and partisan rifts. Voters under 35 overwhelmingly rejected an engaged US global posture at 54%, compared to just 38% who endorsed it. Yet among those over 50, a majority of 55% supported global leadership. Similarly, while 65% of Democrats backed global engagement, 60% of Republicans opposed the idea.
Americans viewed China as the greatest threat to US interests at 30%, followed by illegal immigration at 27%. But partisan differences were again evident: Democrats ranked China first and Republicans put the border first. The poll also found low approval of President Biden’s handling of foreign policy, with only 43% expressing trust compared to 49% for former President Trump.
According to USA Today, the poll of 1,000 registered voters, taken 17-20 October by landline and cell phone, has a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points.
Read also:
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- US rolls out new USD 200 million Ukraine military aid package
