**China Tops US in Global Favorability – Survey**
A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center has revealed a significant shift in global perceptions, with China and President Xi Jinping now viewed more favorably than the United States and former President Donald Trump in many parts of the world. The survey, which spanned six continents and included responses from over 42,000 individuals between February 8 and May 13, highlights China's growing positive image in comparison to the US.
According to the findings, China enjoys a favorable view in 25 out of the 36 countries and territories surveyed, including the United States' immediate neighbors, Canada and Mexico. The trend is particularly pronounced in regions such as the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, where perceptions of China have improved significantly.
In contrast, the United States only led in favorable views in six countries: Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan, and Israel. In five other nations, opinions were roughly evenly split between the two countries. Notably, among the 20 countries with comparable data from 2023, 46% of respondents expressed a favorable view of China, while only 36% favored the US. This marks a dramatic reversal from three years ago, when 58% viewed the US positively compared to 32% for China.
The survey also indicated that confidence in Xi Jinping surpassed that in Donald Trump in 22 countries, although overall confidence in both leaders was relatively low. The only area where the US outperformed China was in the respect for personal freedoms, though the difference was marginal.
Laura Silver, associate director at Pew and co-author of the report, noted that perceptions of the US are at or near historic lows. This survey represents the first time in nearly two decades of global polling by Pew that China has been viewed more positively than the US. Silver attributed the shift in perception to China's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its reputation as a "reliable partner," while the US's image suffered following Trump's initiation of the war on Iran.
The survey results indicated a correlation between the outbreak of the war and declining confidence in the US. Silver remarked, “There was just an actual relationship between the outbreak of the war and the sense that the US is just not contributing to peace and stability and that people have less confidence in Donald Trump.”
The changes in perception were particularly stark among some of Washington's closest allies. In Canada, favorable views of the US plummeted from 57% in 2023 to just 33%, while favorable views of China surged from 14% to 44%. This decline in favorability towards the US followed Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods and his controversial remarks suggesting Canada should become America’s "51st state."
Major European nations, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, also exhibited shifts toward a more favorable view of China. These changes have been attributed to deteriorating relations with the US during Trump's presidency, characterized by tariff disputes, pressure on NATO allies regarding defense spending, and criticism of Europe’s stance on the US-led war on Iran.
In Latin America, the survey found that views now slightly favor China over the US. This shift comes in the wake of Trump's aggressive foreign policy, which included threats of military action against countries such as Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba, as well as military operations in the Caribbean under the pretext of anti-drug efforts.
In response to the survey findings, the Chinese Embassy in Washington stated that the results "demonstrate that China’s governance achievements and development progress are widely recognized." The White House has not yet commented on the survey.
This survey underscores a pivotal moment in international relations, reflecting changing attitudes towards global powers and the impact of leadership on public perception. As China continues to enhance its image on the world stage, the implications for US foreign policy and global dynamics remain to be seen.