What's happened
A recent Pew survey shows international opinions of the US and China are now nearly evenly split, with a notable decline in favorable views of the US and a rise in positive perceptions of China. The survey highlights changing perceptions amid geopolitical tensions and recent policy shifts.
What's behind the headline?
Shifting Global Perceptions of US and China
The latest Pew survey reveals a significant realignment in international opinions, with the US's favorability dropping to 35% in high-income countries, its lowest since 2017, while China's favorable view has risen to 32%, its highest in six years. This shift is driven by multiple factors:
- US Policy Changes: Recent US actions, such as tariffs, aid reductions, and visa restrictions, have eroded trust among allies, especially in Europe and Canada.
- Perception of Reliability: Laura Silver from Pew suggests that as the US appears less reliable, perceptions of China improve, despite ongoing concerns about human rights.
- Regional Variations: Israel remains strongly pro-US, with 83% favorability, contrasting sharply with European countries.
- Public Sentiment and Geopolitical Tensions: The survey coincides with heightened US-China tensions, influencing perceptions.
Overall, the data indicates a decline in US influence and a relative rise in China's image, which could reshape diplomatic alignments and international cooperation in the coming years. The shift underscores the importance of US foreign policy consistency and the impact of global events on public opinion.
What the papers say
The contrasting perspectives from AP News and Bloomberg highlight different facets of this shift. AP News emphasizes the near parity in favorability and the possible reasons behind the change, such as US reliability concerns and policy shifts. Laura Silver notes that perceptions may change when global confidence in the US wanes.
Bloomberg, on the other hand, focuses on the numerical rise in positive views of China, marking a six-year high, and the decline in US favorability to its lowest point since 2017. Both sources agree that these perceptions are influenced by recent geopolitical developments, but AP provides more context on the underlying causes, while Bloomberg emphasizes the statistical trends.
The NY Post adds a regional perspective, illustrating how Canadian perceptions have dramatically shifted, with nearly 60% now viewing the US as a threat, largely due to trade tensions. This regional insight complements the broader international data, showing how specific national contexts influence global opinion trends.
How we got here
The survey, conducted across 25 countries from January to April 2025, reflects evolving global attitudes towards the US and China. Historically, the US enjoyed more favorable views, but recent diplomatic and policy changes, including US tariffs and aid cuts, have shifted perceptions. China's handling of human rights and the pandemic also influence opinions, with some countries now viewing China more positively than before.
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Common question
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How Are Global Views of the US and China Changing?
Recent surveys reveal a significant shift in international perceptions of the US and China. While the US's favorability has declined, China is seeing a rise in positive views, marking a notable change in global opinion. But what’s driving these shifts, and what do they mean for international relations? Below, we explore the latest data and what it could mean for the future of diplomacy worldwide.
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