According to the survey of more than 42,000 respondents across 36 countries, fewer people now view the United States as a dependable global partner, while favorable opinions of the country have fallen in many regions. Pew said perceptions of U.S. reliability have declined significantly since 2022, particularly among longtime allies.
A global survey released June 23, 2026, by the Pew Research Center found that confidence in the United States and President Donald Trump has declined sharply across much of the world, with growing skepticism toward U.S. foreign policy, its reliability as an ally, and the health of American democracy.
The findings, released as leaders gathered for the Group of Seven (G7) summit, come amid heightened tensions between the United States and several of its closest allies over issues including tariffs, the Israel-Iran conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, and broader international security.
According to the survey of more than 42,000 respondents across 36 countries, fewer people now view the United States as a dependable global partner, while favorable opinions of the country have fallen in many regions. Pew said perceptions of U.S. reliability have declined significantly since 2022, particularly among longtime allies.
Canada recorded one of the steepest shifts, with the share of respondents describing the United States as a reliable partner dropping from 83% in 2022 to 35% this year. Similar declines were observed in several Asia-Pacific and European nations.
The report also found that only a median of 35% across the surveyed countries believe the United States contributes to global peace and stability, while just 32% think Washington considers the interests of other nations when making foreign policy decisions.
Trump Receives Low Confidence Ratings
The survey found widespread skepticism toward President Donald Trump’s leadership on international affairs.
Across the 36 countries surveyed, a median of 23% expressed confidence in Trump’s handling of world affairs. Confidence declined in 16 of the 24 countries where comparable data from last year was available, and no country recorded a significant increase.
Trump received his strongest ratings in Israel, the Philippines, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. His weakest ratings came in Turkey and among Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where confidence was in the single digits.
Foreign Policy Draws Broad Criticism
Respondents gave largely negative assessments of Trump’s handling of several major international issues.
His lowest ratings came on the administration’s approach to Iran, with a median of 74% disapproving of his handling of the issue. Israel was the only country where a majority approved.
Trump also received poor marks for his handling of:
- The Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza
- U.S. tariff policies
- The Russia-Ukraine war
- Greenland-related policy
- Venezuela
While immigration received comparatively stronger support than other issues, majorities in most countries still disapproved of the administration’s approach.
Democracy and Personal Freedoms
The survey also points to growing international concern about American democratic institutions.
Only a median of 39% said the U.S. government respects the personal freedoms of its citizens, while 56% disagreed. In many countries, this represents the lowest level of confidence recorded since Pew began tracking the measure.
The proportion of respondents who believe the United States respects individual freedoms has fallen by double digits in nearly every country where comparisons with 2021 data were available.
Favorability Toward the U.S. Falls
Overall perceptions of the United States have also deteriorated.
Across the 36 countries surveyed, a median of 37% expressed a favorable opinion of the U.S., while 57% viewed it unfavorably.
Israel remained the most favorable toward the United States, with 81% expressing positive views. The lowest ratings came from Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Significant declines in U.S. favorability since last year were recorded in countries including Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey.
Long-Term Shift
Pew researchers noted that in several countries where public opinion has been tracked for more than two decades—including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, South Korea, and the United Kingdom—current attitudes toward the United States are now at or near their lowest recorded levels.
The survey was conducted between February 8 and May 13, 2026, among 42,151 adults in 36 countries, providing one of the most comprehensive snapshots of global opinion toward the United States during Trump’s second term.
