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Global perception of the United States has taken a significant downturn since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, with many countries expressing little confidence in his leadership and a marked disapproval of his policies, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Centre released on Wednesday.
Out of the 24 nations surveyed, 15 reported a decline in their favourable views of the United States compared to the previous year. The most dramatic drop was recorded in Mexico, where an overwhelming 91 per cent of respondents said they lacked confidence in Trump’s ability to handle international affairs—reflecting years of strained rhetoric and migration pressure from Washington.
In both Mexico and Canada, nations that had a more favourable outlook on the US under Joe Biden, public opinion has shifted sharply, with majorities now holding negative views of America. Trump had previously stirred controversy by suggesting Canada could be annexed as the 51st US state.
In Europe, the image of the United States also suffered, particularly in Poland, a key NATO ally of Ukraine. The decline in favourability there aligns with Trump’s reduced support for Kyiv and his push for a negotiated deal with Moscow. Meanwhile, Sweden, which joined NATO during Biden’s tenure, recorded the lowest approval of the US among all countries polled, with 79 per cent viewing it negatively.
The Pew survey found widespread disapproval of Trump’s major foreign policy stances, including those on Ukraine, Gaza, immigration, and climate change. A striking 80 per cent of global respondents described him as arrogant, and just 28 per cent regarded him as honest.
Despite the general downturn in perception, the United States maintained high approval ratings in a few countries. Israel topped the list with 83 per cent holding a favourable view, slightly higher than under Biden, amid continued US backing during the Gaza conflict. Nigeria and Kenya also remained consistently positive, reflecting long-standing pro-US sentiment in both nations. India’s outlook remained steady, with over half expressing a favourable view.
Trump’s second presidency has been marked by an ambitious and contentious agenda, including deep cuts to foreign aid and an aggressive stance on deportations. Nevertheless, his international image is slightly less negative than during his first term in 2017, when he succeeded the widely admired Barack Obama.
Pew researcher Janell Fetterolf noted that while Trump’s approval is still low, it mirrors Biden’s performance in some areas, particularly on global economic issues. Additionally, the political climate has evolved, with the rise of right-wing populism making leaders like Trump more mainstream in parts of the world.
In Brazil, where former president Jair Bolsonaro shares Trump’s ideological bent, 34 per cent of the population expressed confidence in Trump, more than double the 14 per cent recorded at the start of his first term. Globally, Trump enjoys greater support among men and right-leaning individuals, though even among nationalist voters in Sweden and France, confidence remains limited.
The survey polled 28,333 adults across 24 countries between January and April, providing a snapshot of how Trump’s return to power is reshaping global views of the United States.
