Pledging to hold China accountable for the coronavirus is the hottest message in Republican politics, and it resonates with independents, bolstering President Trump’s strategy to turn Beijing into a key issue in the fall campaign.

Republican voters overwhelmingly blame China for the pandemic and support action by the United States to retaliate against the ruling communist party. Polls show GOP anger with the Asian power is boiling over amid mounting deaths and job losses. But a healthy majority of independents agree, and Republican pollsters who are gauging voter opinion of Beijing in private surveys say that Trump’s decision to elevate the message is a no-brainer.