*Washington, July 16, 2025* – A new Pew Research Center survey reveals a significant shift in global perceptions, with the United States losing ground as a trusted ally while China’s image improves worldwide. The survey, conducted across 24 countries, highlights a growing positive sentiment toward China and its leader, Xi Jinping, while the U.S. and President Donald Trump face declining favorability, particularly since Trump’s return to power.
According to the survey, released on Tuesday, global views of the U.S. have deteriorated, driven largely by policies such as tariffs, restrictions on foreign aid, visa bans for international students, and tightened regulations on prestigious universities. These actions have damaged America’s global influence, with only 35% of respondents in high-income countries like Canada, France, Germany, and Italy holding a positive view of the U.S., down from 51% last year. In contrast, 32% of people in these countries now view China favorably, a notable increase from 23% in 2024.
The survey found that eight countries view the U.S. positively, seven favor China as a better partner, and two rank both superpowers equally. While the reasons for this shift were not explicitly detailed, Laura Silver, Associate Director at Pew Research, noted that global trust in the U.S. as a reliable ally has significantly declined. Meanwhile, despite criticism of China’s human rights policies and its handling of the pandemic, its global acceptance is on the rise.
In the U.S., Democratic senators have echoed these concerns, accusing the Trump administration of undermining America’s international standing through isolationist policies. The survey also highlighted regional differences: Israel remains a strong supporter of the U.S., with 83% expressing positive views and 69% favoring Trump, while only 9% view Xi Jinping positively. In contrast, 33% of Israelis hold a favorable opinion of China.
The Pew Research Center conducted the survey from January 8 to April 26, 2025, polling over 30,000 people across 25 countries, with a margin of error ranging from ±2.5 to ±4.7 percentage points per country. The findings underscore a narrowing gap in global perceptions of the two superpowers, signaling a potential realignment in international alliances.
