---
title: "Obama seeks to improve economic ties with South Africa as China edges in"
description: "President Obama’s trip to South Africa this week aims to strengthen economic ties between the two countries at a time when China’s growing economic presence in the region has added a new dynamic. According to the European Commission, in 2011, China accounted for a larger share of South Africa’s trade than the U.S. did. And the […]"
date: "2013-06-27"
authors:
  - name: "Katie Simmons"
    job_title: "Former Associate Director, Research"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/katie-simmons/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2013/06/27/obama-seeks-to-improve-economic-ties-with-south-africa-as-china-edges-in/"
categories:
  - "Bilateral Relations"
  - "Economic Policy"
  - "Global Economy & Trade"
  - "Global Trade"
  - "U.S. Global Image"
---

# Obama seeks to improve economic ties with South Africa as China edges in

![south-africa-us-china-influence](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2013/06/south-africa-us-china-influence.png)

President Obama's trip to South Africa this week [aims to strengthen economic ties](http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/05/20/statement-press-secretary-president-s-travel-africa) between the two countries at a time when China's growing economic presence in the region has added a new dynamic.

[According to the European Commission](http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113447.pdf), in 2011, China accounted for a larger share of South Africa’s trade than the U.S. did. And the new Chinese President Xi Jinping [highlighted](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/world/asia/chinese-leader-xi-jinping-offers-africa-assurance-and-aid.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1372341835-51r2HRljJTIHg4pzcw8i9A) the importance of the region to his country by making sub-Saharan Africa one of the destinations for his first trip abroad as president. (This is Obama's first trip to South Africa since taking office.)

![us-image-south-africa](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2013/06/us-image-south-africa.png)

South Africans appear to recognize the competing economic influence of the two world powers – and to welcome ties with both countries. According to a new Pew Research Center poll, about seven-in-ten (72%) say the U.S. has a great deal or fair amount of influence on economic conditions in South Africa; 71% say the same about China. Among those who believe the U.S. and China have a significant economic impact on their country, majorities say both nations’ influence is a good thing for South Africa: 67% for the U.S. and 58% for China.

Regardless, Obama is likely to receive a warm welcome on the visit. Roughly seven-in-ten (72%) hold a favorable view of the U.S., a higher percentage than in either 2002 or 2008. And a broad majority (74%) express confidence in Obama to do the right thing in world affairs, much higher than the 32% in 2008 who trusted his predecessor, President George W. Bush.

Here are more [detailed results and survey methodology](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2013/06/27/south-africa-topline-and-survey-methods).