Most Americans Want Washington to Mind Its Own Business Overseas

By Bruce Stokes, Director of Global Economic Attitudes, Pew Research Center

Special to Nikkei

Americans have four words for the White House when it comes to foreign policy: Mind your own business.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s foreign policy has centered on an “Asia pivot.” But Americans’ willingness to take on new international burdens is at an all-time low. It is not clear that a rebalancing of U.S. interests and engagement toward East, Southeast and South Asia has the full support of the American people.

Nevertheless, China continues to be among Americans’ top concerns. Growing antipathy toward Beijing forebodes increasing Sino-American tensions that will demand Washington’s attentions. Support for Japan is high, a boost for the alliance at a time of mounting Sino-Japanese frictions. Moreover, Asia is popular among U.S. foreign policy experts. And an economic pivot — typified by the Trans-Pacific Partnership — has strong support among foreign policy elites.

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