By Stacy M. BrownBlack Press USA Senior Nationwide Correspondent
As Donald Trump settles into his second time period as president, a blistering new Pew Analysis Heart survey reveals that a lot of the world sees him as a harmful and smug chief unfit to deal with world challenges—and it’s dragging down America’s picture overseas.
From Europe to Latin America and throughout Asia, confidence in Trump to “do the appropriate factor” in world affairs stays deeply underwater. In 19 of 24 international locations surveyed, the bulk expressed little or no confidence in him. A world median of simply 34 % have faith in Trump, whereas 62 % say they don’t. Trump’s worst scores come from Mexico, the place a mere 8 % specific confidence and 91 % reject his management.
The harm extends far past the non-public. The USA itself has taken a reputational hit. Favorable views of the U.S. have dropped in 15 international locations since final yr, with help plunging 32 factors in Mexico and 20 factors in Canada. Sweden now provides the U.S. its worst score—79 % view the nation unfavorably.
Credit score: Unsplash / Sunira Moses)
The survey, performed between January and April 2025 and launched on June 11, paints a portrait of worldwide distrust. Trump earns dismal scores on practically each main worldwide difficulty, from local weather change and immigration to the Russia-Ukraine struggle and U.S.-China relations. A median of solely 24 % have faith in his capability to deal with local weather change, and simply 33 % belief him on Ukraine.
Even amongst those that acknowledge his power as a frontrunner—a trait {that a} median of 67 % worldwide attributes to him—many nonetheless discover him unqualified for the position. Majorities in most international locations describe Trump as “smug” (median 80 %) and “harmful” (median 65 %), whereas solely 28 % consider he’s trustworthy.
The ideological divide is eye-popping. In international locations like Israel, 93 % of these on the political proper belief Trump, in comparison with simply 21 % on the left. His help can be excessive amongst backers of populist events, from Bolsonaro’s Liberal Social gathering in Brazil to Netanyahu’s Likud in Israel and Milei’s La Libertad Avanza in Argentina.
Regardless of these pockets of help, comparisons to different world leaders reveal that Trump lags. French President Emmanuel Macron instructions a worldwide median confidence score of 46 %, in comparison with Trump’s 34 %. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese language President Xi Jinping fare even worse—however in international locations like Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey, extra individuals belief Putin over Trump.
The USA, as soon as seen as a beacon of stability, is now seen with ambivalence. Simply 50 % of individuals throughout 24 international locations say democracy within the U.S. works properly. Roughly half of these surveyed view the nation because the world’s high financial system, however partisan division and Trump’s management type have clouded its world standing.
Because the world watches Washington, the numbers don’t lie: Trump’s return to energy hasn’t sparked a wave of renewed world confidence. As an alternative, it’s frightening a refrain of concern—and, in many countries, outright rejection.
