Introduction
A recent global survey reveals a significant drop in international favorability toward the United States following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. The shift reflects growing global unease with Trump’s leadership style, policy priorities, and the broader trajectory of US foreign relations.
Survey Overview and Methodology
The Pew Research Center conducted the survey between January and April 2025, collecting views from 28,333 adults across 24 nations. Respondents were asked about their confidence in Trump’s leadership, perceptions of US policies, and general favourability toward the United States. Comparative analysis with data from the previous year, during President Biden’s tenure, highlighted notable declines in sentiment.
Decline in Global Confidence and Favourability
The survey found that in 15 out of 24 countries, US favourability dropped since Trump assumed office again . Major deteriorations were reported in Canada, Mexico, Sweden, Poland, and other European nations. For example:
- In Mexico, 91% of respondents said they lacked confidence in Trump’s handling of global affairs.
- Canada shifted from majority favourability under Biden to majority disapproval under Trump .
- Sweden recorded 79% negative views of the US, the highest of any country surveyed.
Perception of Trump’s Leadership Qualities
The survey assessed respondents’ perceptions of Trump himself. The findings showed:
- 80% described Trump as “arrogant,” and 65–80% considered him “dangerous” .
- Only about one-third worldwide said they trusted him to handle global affairs .
Nevertheless, approximately two-thirds recognized him as a “strong” leader, reflecting nuanced views of his leadership .
Comparative Ratings: US vs China and Russia
An analysis by the Alliance of Democracies Foundation found US global perception dropped from +22% net positive to –5%, while China improved to +14%, surpassing the US for the first time . The perception of Trump lagged behind both Russia’s Putin and China’s Xi, with more countries holding unfavourable views.
Regional Breakdown
- Europe: Deep declines across EU states. In Denmark, the US favourability fell by up to 28 points following Trump’s re-election .
- North America: Canada and Mexico dramatically shifted negative in their views of the US leadership .
- Sub-Saharan Africa & Middle East: Mixed responses—high favourability remained in Nigeria and Kenya, while Israel continued to show strong support at 83% .
- Asia: India’s perception remained largely unchanged, with over half remaining favourable toward the US .
Reactions to Policies on Ukraine, Climate, Immigration
Countries surveyed largely disapproved of Trump’s foreign-policy positions. Majorities disagreed with his stance on Ukraine, Gaza, immigration, and climate change . In Poland, his call for a “negotiated solution” with Russia drew strong criticism.
Domestic US Approval and International Ramifications
Trump’s domestic approval in the US also declined, with recent polls (e.g., Quinnipiac) showing approval ratings around 38%. Economic and immigration policies were particularly unpopular, both internationally and domestically. This shrinking global image may affect tourism, diplomatic partnerships, and the US’s capacity to lead on international issues .
Implications for US Foreign Policy
The erosion of global favourability introduces fresh challenges for US diplomacy. Reduced trust hampers cooperation on trade, climate agreements, and security partnerships. It also complicates global initiatives requiring US leadership, such as climate accords or NATO commitments. Countries skeptical of the US may pursue closer ties with alternative powers like China or the EU. These shifting perceptions underscore the importance of soft power and consistent international engagement.
