Public trust in the U.S. has reached a record low among Australians, according to a recent Lowy Institute poll [1].
This shift in sentiment suggests a growing instability in one of the world's most enduring strategic alliances. As Australia navigates a volatile Indo-Pacific region, the perceived decline in U.S. reliability may force Canberra to diversify its diplomatic and security dependencies.
The results of the poll, released June 22, 2026, show that only 31% [1] of Australians express faith that the U.S. would "act responsibly in the world" [1]. This figure represents the lowest level of trust ever recorded by the institute [1].
Analysts said this decline is due to shifts in the Australian strategic outlook under the Trump administration [1, 2]. There is a growing perception within the Australian public that the U.S. is becoming less reliable as a partner in the Indo-Pacific region [1, 2].
The data indicates that the U.S. may no longer hold its position as the primary partner for the nation. A majority of Australians said the relationship with the U.S. has been superseded by ties with another partner [2].
This trend reflects a broader tension between long-standing treaty obligations and the immediate reality of shifting American foreign policy. While official government ties remain intact, the public's confidence in the U.S. as a stable global actor has eroded significantly [1].
“Only 31 per cent of Australians express faith that the United States would “act responsibly in the world”.”
The collapse in public trust signals a psychological decoupling between Australia and the U.S. While military agreements like AUKUS provide a structural bond, the poll suggests that the Australian public is increasingly skeptical of U.S. predictability. This creates a political environment where the Australian government may face more domestic pressure to hedge its bets with other regional powers to ensure national security.
