A recent global survey conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that more than half of individuals in key U.S. ally nations—such as France, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, and Japan—lack confidence in President Donald Trump’s leadership in international affairs.
The survey, which involved over 28,000 respondents from 24 countries, found that ratings of the U.S. have declined in 15 of those nations. Many respondents described President Trump as ‘arrogant’ and ‘dangerous,’ reflecting a notable shift in global perception of American leadership.
When approached for a response, White House spokesman Steven Cheung emphasized the president’s commitment to the American people, stating, ‘President Trump is the president of the American people and his priority is to work on their behalf, nobody else’s.’ He highlighted that the ‘overwhelming majority of Americans support his America First agenda,’ claiming that ‘America is back on top after four years of failure under Joe Biden.’ Despite these assertions, recent polls show that President Trump’s approval rating remains around 43%.
According to Richard Wike, who leads the global attitudes team at Pew, one factor contributing to the negative ratings is the global desire for a more engaged America. Wike noted, ‘If you look at our surveys over the years, people in other countries often want to see the U.S. working collaboratively, engaging in efforts with other countries to address big global challenges. When the U.S. is going its own way, it’s seen more negatively.’
The survey points to specific issues, such as President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, which has garnered worldwide criticism. Less than 20% of respondents in Canada, France, Germany, Australia, and Spain expressed confidence in Trump’s climate change policies.
Furthermore, President Trump’s implementation of fluctuating tariffs on both allies and rivals, notably Canada and China, has sparked concerns over economic stability. Confidence in the president’s ability to navigate global economic challenges remained below a third among respondents in the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, and Sweden.
The survey was conducted between January 8 and April 26, encompassing a diverse range of perspectives from Europe, the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.
Though international citizens do not participate in U.S. elections, Wike asserts that foreign opinion can significantly impact diplomatic relationships. He remarked, ‘I think it makes it easier for leaders to cooperate with the United States if the U.S. is relatively popular in their country. It doesn’t mean that a leader is not going to cooperate with the United States if the U.S. is unpopular . . . but hey, look, politicians respond to incentives.’
Despite the negative ratings, there were some positive reflections on President Trump’s leadership style. Majorities in 18 countries view him as a strong leader. There have also been improvements in U.S. ratings since last year in countries such as Israel, Nigeria, and Turkey.
Additionally, President Trump found support among European populist leaders, with 88% of supporters of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz Party expressing confidence in him, and 56% of supporters of Germany’s right-wing Alternative for Germany party aligning with similar sentiments.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/12/nx-s1-5431366/us-allies-no-confidence-trump-poll
