Pew Survey: China Now Viewed More Favorably Than America/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new Pew Research Center survey shows China is now viewed more favorably than the United States in most countries surveyed, marking the first time Beijing has surpassed Washington in global opinion. The shift comes as international confidence in President Donald Trump declines amid geopolitical tensions. Chinese President Xi Jinping also received higher confidence ratings than Trump across many nations.
China Global Favorability Quick Looks
- Pew surveyed more than 42,000 people across 36 locations.
- China is viewed more favorably than the U.S. in 25 countries.
- Xi Jinping enjoys higher confidence than Donald Trump in 22 countries.
- Canada, Mexico and several European allies shifted toward China.
- Only six countries favor the U.S. over China.
- Israel remains America’s strongest supporter.
- Japan, India, South Korea, Poland and the Philippines also favor the U.S.
- International confidence in Trump declined sharply.
- China’s image improved as pandemic concerns faded.
- Survey highlights changing global perceptions of U.S. leadership.
China Overtakes U.S. in Global Favorability, Pew Survey Finds
International Opinion Shifts Toward Beijing
For the first time in roughly two decades of polling, China is viewed more favorably than the United States across much of the world, according to a new Pew Research Center survey released Wednesday.
The study found that people in 25 of the 36 countries and territories surveyed now hold more favorable opinions of China than the United States. Researchers say the shift reflects declining confidence in American global leadership during President Donald Trump’s second term while China’s international image has gradually recovered following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey was conducted between February and May among more than 42,000 respondents across 35 countries, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Xi Jinping Viewed More Favorably Than Trump
Those countries include longtime U.S. allies such as:
- Canada
- Mexico
- France
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Italy
- Sweden
- Netherlands
Although many respondents expressed limited confidence in either leader, Xi generally outperformed Trump across Europe and North America.
Researchers noted that this represents the first significant global advantage China has held over the United States since Pew began measuring international attitudes roughly 20 years ago.
Trump Policies Influence Global Views
According to Pew researchers, several developments contributed to declining perceptions of the United States.
Among the issues cited:
- Continued conflict involving Iran.
- U.S. involvement in Middle East wars.
- Trump’s tariff disputes with allies.
- His comments about Greenland.
- The military operation involving Venezuela.
- International criticism over U.S. policy toward Gaza.
Researchers said many respondents increasingly believe the United States contributes less to global peace and stability than in previous years.
By comparison, China has increasingly been viewed as a more reliable international partner.
Canada and Europe Show Major Opinion Changes
Canada experienced one of the most dramatic shifts.
Only 33% of Canadians now view the United States favorably, compared with 57% in 2023.
Meanwhile, favorable opinions of China among Canadians climbed from just 14% to 44% during the same period.
The report suggests tensions stemming from U.S. tariffs and Trump’s repeated comments suggesting Canada could become America’s “51st state” contributed to deteriorating public opinion.
Across Europe, countries including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands also shifted toward viewing China more positively than the United States.
In the United Kingdom, public opinion has moved from strongly favoring America just three years ago to viewing both countries almost equally.
Only Six Countries Favor the United States
Despite the broader shift, six countries continue to rate the United States more favorably than China.
Those nations include:
- Israel
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Philippines
- Poland
Israel remains America’s strongest supporter, with roughly eight in ten respondents expressing favorable views of the United States compared with just 19% for China.
Even among these countries, however, favorable views of America have generally declined over recent years.
China Benefits as Pandemic Memories Fade
Researchers say China’s image has improved partly because memories of the COVID-19 pandemic have faded.
At the same time, respondents increasingly describe China as contributing to international stability while expressing growing concern over American foreign policy decisions.
The survey also found that the United States continues to outperform China regarding respect for individual freedoms.
However, that advantage has narrowed significantly since 2021, largely because respondents have become less likely to believe the U.S. government respects the personal freedoms of its own citizens.
Survey Highlights Changing Global Landscape
The findings underscore a major shift in international public opinion during a period marked by military conflict, geopolitical competition and strained alliances.
For decades, the United States maintained a clear advantage over China in global favorability ratings.
The latest Pew survey suggests that advantage has now disappeared across much of the world, with Beijing gaining influence while Washington faces growing skepticism among many traditional allies.
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