Americans Shifting Focus to Asia

The just-released Chicago Council 2012 Survey shows that after a decade of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, Americans recognize China’s growing influence and Asia’s importance (especially economic importance) to the United States.  This shift signals a reorientation that is likely to become more pronounced in the future.

For the first time in Chicago Council Surveys going back to 1994, slightly more Americans select Asia (52%) over Europe (47%) when asked which continent is more important to the United States.

Millennials (18 to 29 year olds), as well as those under the age of forty-five, are more inclined to feel that Asia is more important to the United States than Europe (58% Asia to 40% Europe), while those sixty or older (along with those over forty-five more generally) most often name Europe (54% Europe to 46% Asia).