A Pew Research Center survey found that a majority of respondents in most surveyed countries view China and Xi Jinping more favorably than the United States and Donald Trump.
This shift in perception reflects a changing global landscape where the U.S. is losing its traditional soft-power dominance. The findings suggest that international trust is migrating toward Beijing as confidence in American institutions declines.
The 2026 Global Attitudes Survey included more than 40,000 respondents [3] across 36 countries, including India, Pakistan, Canada, and various nations in Europe and Asia [1, 4]. According to the Pew Research Center, in 25 of those 36 nations, a majority of adults hold a more favorable view of China than of the U.S. [1]. Other reports indicate this lead exists in at least 20 countries [4].
"China is now viewed more positively than the US in many countries around the world, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center," the organization said [1].
The data indicates that President Xi Jinping commands greater trust internationally than Donald Trump does [2]. This trend is attributed to rising global perceptions of China's economic development and the leadership of Xi, contrasted with a decline in confidence regarding U.S. institutions [5].
The survey highlights a significant divergence in how the two superpowers are perceived. While the U.S. has historically led in global favorability, the Pew data shows a narrowing gap or a complete reversal in several key regions. The report underscores that the perception of China's rise is not merely economic but is tied to the perceived stability and effectiveness of its leadership [5].
"In 25 of the 36 surveyed nations, a majority of adults have a more favorable view of China than of the United States," Pew Research Center said [1].
“Xi Jinping commands greater trust internationally than Donald Trump does.”
The findings suggest a strategic pivot in global sentiment, where the perceived stability of China's centralized leadership and economic growth are outweighing the traditional appeal of American democratic institutions. This trend could provide China with increased diplomatic leverage in the Global South and Europe, potentially complicating U.S. efforts to build international coalitions against Beijing's influence.
