Newly released figures from a global public opinion survey conducted by the Pew Research Center point to major shifts in how people around the world view leading international powers. According to the research, global confidence in the United States has experienced a sharp decline under President Donald Trump. While public trust in American leadership drops, emerging global powers including India and China are seeing an increase in international confidence. The findings also reveal severe domestic disillusionment within America itself, where 83 percent of citizens express dissatisfaction with their own government. This comprehensive study outlines how international perceptions are realigning across continents.
High Approval Ratings for India Across Nations
The survey data highlights strong global favorability for India across multiple continents, covering major European, Asian, and Western nations. India's highest favorability rating comes from neighboring Sri Lanka, where 79 percent of people hold a positive view. In Europe, Britain leads Western favorability toward India, with 71 percent of respondents holding a positive opinion. High favorability figures were also registered across several key international partners
- Germany recorded a 63 percent positive view of India.
- 60 percent of respondents in Israel like India.
- Italy showed a 56 percent favorable rating for India.
- 55 percent of citizens in Japan hold a positive opinion of India.
- Canada registered 51 percent favorable sentiment toward India.
- In the United States, 45 percent of people maintain a favorable opinion of India.
Widespread Disapproval of Trump Policies and Comparison with Xi Jinping
The survey reveals that policy turns under President Donald Trump have contributed to record-low global approval for the United States across many regions. Out of 36 countries polled regarding their opinion of President Trump, respondents in only 8 countries expressed a positive view of his leadership. In contrast, widespread negative opinions were recorded across a long list of traditional allies and partners, including Britain, France, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, and Turkey. In another striking outcome from the poll, international respondents expressed greater trust in Chinese President Xi Jinping than in President Donald Trump.
Shifting Perceptions of China and US Youth Sentiment
Despite the tariff war launched by President Trump specifically aimed at targeting China, public attitudes toward Beijing have taken an unexpected trajectory. Opinion among young people in the United States is shifting toward a more favorable view of China. At the same time, neighboring countries of the United States have increasingly begun to regard China as a dependable global friend, indicating changing diplomatic and trade relationships in the region.
Indian Public Perspective: Russia Preferred Over the United States
The survey also examines how citizens in India evaluate their country's key international relationships. When asked about their nation's most dependable partner on the global stage, 36 percent of respondents in India named Russia as their most trustworthy global ally. In contrast, only 16 percent of Indian respondents held a similar level of trust toward the United States. This substantial 20 percentage point gap emphasizes the deep strategic trust and historical relationship that continues to bind Indian public opinion with Russia.
