Exposure to Chinese imports and media slant: Evidence from 147 U.S. local newspapers over 1998–2012

Abstract

Does the recent surge in Chinese imports affect the media slant against China in the United States? Using a data set of 147 U.S. local newspapers over 1998–2012, this paper shows that newspapers whose circulation counties face greater exposure to Chinese imports report more negative news about China, and are more likely to endorse Democrats. The results hold with two identification strategies and three measures of media slant. The paper further shows that, in U.S. House and Senate elections between 2000 and 2012, media slant is associated with increased voting shares for Democrats, who are traditionally champions for the poor and critical of globalization.