The Pew Research Center’s global survey reveals a significant lack of confidence in President Trump’s leadership among key U.S. allies, including France, the UK, Germany, South Korea, and Japan. Over half of respondents in these countries express skepticism about Trump’s role in world affairs, leading to downgraded ratings of the U.S. in 15 out of 24 nations surveyed. The majority of respondents worldwide view Trump as “arrogant” and “dangerous.”
Despite these findings, the White House maintains that Trump prioritizes serving the American people and touts high approval ratings, currently standing at around 43%. Richard Wike from Pew suggests that Trump’s unilateral approach to global challenges contributes to negative perceptions, as many prefer a more collaborative U.S. stance. Trump’s decisions, such as withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and implementing fluctuating tariffs, have garnered low confidence in his handling of climate change and global economic issues.
The survey, conducted across 24 countries, underscores the impact of international opinion on U.S. foreign relations. Positive aspects of Trump’s leadership, such as being seen as a strong leader, resonate in some countries. Notably, Trump’s popularity has surged among European populists, while ratings of the U.S. have improved in Israel, Nigeria, and Turkey. This isn’t the first time global concerns over Trump’s leadership have surfaced, with previous surveys highlighting a stark decline in confidence compared to the Obama era.