United States sees sharp drop in global reputation on 250th anniversary

A new Pew Research poll of 40,000 respondents in 36 countries shows that only one in four now trusts the United States to lead globally. Confidence in the United States fell dramatically, with Germany’s favorable rating dropping from 83 % in 2022 to 39 %, and similar declines reported in Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy and the United Kingdom. More than half of respondents now view the United States as an unreliable partner, while Israel remains the only major nation where a large majority still expresses confidence.

The poll attributes the loss of standing largely to policies of the Trump administration, including the costly Iran war, the abandonment of the "America‑First" doctrine, and tariff moves that strained ties with India, Pakistan and European allies. The United States’ reduced military presence in the Indo‑Pacific and the redirection of assets to the Middle East have further weakened its security umbrella for Asian partners, benefiting China’s influence.

Historical context notes that U.S.–Russia relations have long swung between cooperation and rivalry, recalling early 19th‑century naval incidents and diplomatic exchanges that once linked the two powers against common foes. The current dip in perception underscores a broader erosion of America’s soft power at a milestone moment for the world’s oldest democracy.