More Fear of China & Russia, Less Fear of North Korea

Over the course of the Trump presidency, fewer Americans have been viewing North Korea's nuclear program as a critical threat to the United States. This is according to two surveys by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs that polled more than 2,000 U.S. adults each. Meanwhile, fear of the power and influence of China and Russia as well as the threat of climate change entered the public eye to an increasing degree.

Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump held two high-profile summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2018 and 2019. In 2017, North Korea had once again increased missile testing, including of long-range missiles thought to be able to reach the United States. While the country paused their tests in 2018 during the Trump-Kim rapprochement, long-term diplomatic results did not materialize. Fear of North Korea among Americans spiked briefly in 2018, but the topic has not been a priority since.

Fear of international terrorism has also been an issue for fewer Americans. When the survey was carried out in 2016, it was still viewed as a critical threat by three quarters of Americans. That number has since decreased to 54 percent.