Washington (TDI): The image of the United States has deteriorated significantly in many parts of the world following the return of President Donald Trump to office, according to a new global survey released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center.
The survey, which polled 28,333 adults across 24 countries between January and April, found that favorability of the US has declined in 15 countries, with sharp drops recorded in key allies such as Canada, Mexico, and several European countries.
Trump’s leadership was met with particular disapproval in Mexico, where 91% of respondents said they had no confidence in him to do the right thing in world affairs. In Canada, Trump’s controversial comment, that Canada should be the 51st US state, was cited as a reason for worsening perceptions, with majority now viewing the US unfavorably—reversing a positive trend during Joe Biden’s presidency.
European attitudes toward the US have also darkened and dimmed, especially in Poland—a close ally of Ukraine—where support for the US has waned amid Trump’s reduced commitment to Kyiv. The sharpest negative ratings came from Sweden, where 79% expressed an unfavorable view of America, despite the country’s recent NATO accession under Biden.
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The survey also highlighted global rejection of Trump’s policies on key issues. Majorities in all surveyed countries disagreed with Trump’s positions on Ukraine, Gaza, climate change, and immigration. Additionally, 80% of respondents described Trump as “arrogant”, and only 28% believed he was honest.
Despite this, some nations maintained a relatively favorable view of the US. Israel, for example, showed 83% support, bolstered by strong US backing in the Gaza conflict. Similarly, Nigeria and Kenya continued their traditionally high approval, while India remained largely stable in its positive view.
Interestingly, the 2025 results, while negative, were not as poor as in 2017, when Trump first took office after Barack Obama, who enjoyed high global approval. This time, Trump followed Biden, who received similar global ratings on economic management.
The report also noted that Trump’s support remains higher among men and political conservatives worldwide, but even far-right voters in France and Sweden showed limited confidence in his leadership.
The Pew survey sheds light on the growing global skepticism toward right-wing populism and the long-term damage to America’s soft power, as Trump’s aggressive foreign policy continues to draw criticism across continents.
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
