Global Opinion Shift
New Global Survey Shows China, Xi Jinping Viewed More Favorably Than US, Trump in Many Nations
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China and its leader Xi Jinping are now viewed more favorably than the United States and President Trump in a majority of countries polled, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. In 25 out of 36 countries and territories surveyed, more people hold a positive view of China than of the US — a striking result that includes close American neighbors like Canada and Mexico. Pew Research Center conducted the survey amid an escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing.
The shift in global opinion is tied closely to tensions between the Trump administration and traditional US allies, Gulf Coast News Now reported. Despite the survey's findings, many countries still hold low confidence in both Xi Jinping and Donald Trump as world leaders.
How the Survey Numbers Break Down by Country
The Pew Research Center polled people across 36 countries and territories. China came out ahead of the US in 25 of them. That means in roughly 70% of nations surveyed, China was seen more favorably than America. Countries like Canada and Mexico — two of the US's closest trading partners — ranked China above the US in favorability, according to WCVB.
The results are a notable reversal from the image the US has traditionally held as a globally respected power. Many nations that once leaned toward Washington now view Beijing in a better light. Still, KCCI noted that confidence in both Trump and Xi remains low across many of the same countries, meaning neither leader commands widespread global trust.
Trump-Ally Tensions Driving the Opinion Shift
Analysts point to strained relations between Trump and longtime US allies as a key driver of the change. The Trump administration has clashed with partners in Europe and North America over trade tariffs, military spending, and diplomatic tone. Those disputes appear to have pushed public opinion in allied countries away from Washington, WLKY reported.
The survey captures a moment when American soft power — its ability to win friends through reputation and values — appears to be weakening. China has moved quickly to fill that gap. Beijing has expanded trade deals and diplomatic outreach in regions where the US has pulled back or created friction.
Trade War Context: US and China Still at Odds
The survey results come as Washington and Beijing remain locked in a bitter trade war. Both sides have described efforts to improve cooperation, but the conflict has not eased significantly. Trump said he did not discuss tariffs in a recent call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to 4029 TV. That claim surprised many observers who expected tariffs to be a central topic.
In a rare bright spot for US-China business ties, Boeing is set to make its first major sale to Beijing in nearly a decade, WGAL reported. The deal signals that economic ties between the two countries have not fully collapsed, even as political tensions remain high.
What This Means for US Global Standing
The Pew findings are a warning sign for US influence abroad. Losing the favorability race to China — even in allied nations like Canada — suggests that American foreign policy is pushing friends away rather than drawing them closer. Public opinion matters because it shapes how governments act and how trade and security deals get made.
The survey does not mean China is universally loved. Many of the same 36 countries also distrust Xi Jinping. But it does mean the US is losing ground fast. If current trends hold, Washington could find it harder to build coalitions, win trade negotiations, and maintain its role as a global leader, according to Gulf Coast News Now.
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