Global favorability of the USA declines as China's sentiment rises

Data from the Pew Research Center indicates a significant decline in the global perception of the United States following Donald Trump's return to power in January 2025. A survey of over 42,000 people across 36 countries reveals that favorable views of the U.S. have dropped to 36 percent, while positive sentiment toward China has risen to 46 percent.

In contrast to data from three years ago, where 58 percent of respondents viewed the U.S. favorably compared to 32 percent for China, the current trend shows a reversal in many regions, including Asia, the Middle East, and several European nations such as the UK, France, and Germany. Even in North America, countries like Canada and Mexico now report more positive views of China than of the United States.

Political science professor Ross Baker noted that the shift is linked to changes in U.S. foreign policy, including the dismantling of USAID, the imposition of global tariffs, and military actions such as the conflict with Iran. Baker stated that the administration has