In brief
A new Pew Research Center survey reveals, for the first time, that more than half of the world’s surveyed nations view China more favorably than the United States. Across 42,000 respondents in 36 countries, approval of China reached record highs while perception of the US has steadily declined, despite the US still being seen as protecting personal freedoms more than China. Confidence in both leaders is low, yet Xi Jinping scores higher than Donald Trump in most nations surveyed. Middle‑income countries tend to favour China, while wealthier states still lean toward the US, except for a handful of staunch US allies. The data illustrate how US policy volatility and China's image-building may be reshaping international sentiment toward the two superpowers.
For the first time since World War II, a Pew Research Center poll shows that people in a majority of surveyed nations view China more positively than the United States.
The study polled 42,000 respondents across 36 countries from February to May. Results revealed record‐high approval ratings for China while US sentiment fell, even as the US still scores higher on the protection of personal freedoms.
Confidence in leaders is low overall; both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping receive less than 50% approval in most places. Still, Xi enjoys higher confidence than Trump in most countries, with 83% support in Pakistan and only 7% in Japan.
Middle‑income countries generally favour China, whereas wealthier states lean toward the US, though only six nations—including Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan, and Israel—still favour the US more.
Regional patterns show China’s popularity peaking in places like Spain, Indonesia, Italy, Colombia, Mexico, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Turkey, while Europe and parts of Asia remain more sceptical.
Experts attribute the US decline to policy volatility, military actions, and economic sanctions, whereas China’s image has benefited from technological progress and targeted soft‑power outreach.
These findings underscore the shifting global narrative as nations reassess the influence and governance of the two global superpowers.
