A recent comprehensive survey by the Pew Research Center highlights a striking reality: only one-third of people polled across 24 countries express confidence in Donald Trump as a world leader. The survey captured the sentiments of more than 28,000 individuals, with many respondents describing Trump using descriptors like “arrogant” and “dangerous,” while a meager segment deemed him “honest.”
The findings are particularly revealing about global perceptions of the United States under Trump’s leadership. Over half of the countries surveyed reported a decline in favorable opinions toward the U.S. in the past year. Notably, countries like Mexico, Sweden, Poland, and Canada experienced drops exceeding 20 points. In the UK, confidence dipped from 54% to 50%.
When asked how much faith they had in Trump to “do the right thing in world affairs,” only 34% of respondents across these nations expressed any level of confidence. Conversely, 62% indicated they had little or no confidence in the U.S. president. Notably, the survey identified only five countries where a majority of participants expressed confidence in Trump: Nigeria (79%), Kenya (74%), Israel (69%), Hungary (53%), and India (52%). In stark contrast, the sentiment was overwhelmingly negative in the remaining 19 nations.
The skepticism surrounding Trump’s leadership resonates clearly in Mexico, where an astounding 91% reported having “not too much” or “no confidence at all” in him. This was closely followed by high percentages in Sweden (85%), Germany (81%), Spain (80%), and Turkey (80%). In Canada, Australia, France, and the Netherlands, many respondents voiced a complete lack of confidence in Trump, while in the UK, 47% expressed no confidence, complemented by an additional 15% who felt similarly skeptical.
The survey further explored confidence in Trump’s capacity to address specific global issues. Across all nations queried, individuals displayed particularly low trust in his ability to manage U.S. immigration, the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S.-China relations, the global economy, Middle Eastern affairs, and climate change. Notably, confidence was glaringly low in Mexico (14%) and Canada (26%). In several EU countries, including France, Germany, and Spain, fewer than a quarter of respondents expressed optimism in Trump’s handling of these critical facets, with the UK registering slightly higher at 34%.
The issue that drew the least confidence in Trump was climate change, where only 21% believed he could effectively tackle the crisis. Interestingly, U.S. immigration policies garnered the highest level of trust, yet even there, only 36% indicated confidence. A glance at NATO member nations revealed that a significant majority—a minimum of 60%—expressed distrust in Trump’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war, along with similar sentiments regarding U.S.-China relations, with 77% of Australians echoing this skepticism.
The traits attributed to Trump provide a fascinating glimpse into public perception; “arrogant” emerged as the most selected descriptor, chosen by 80% of respondents. About two-thirds characterized him as “dangerous,” while only a significant minority chose attributes like “diplomatic” or “well-qualified to be president.” Strikingly, about two-thirds of respondents across the globe agreed that “honest” was not a fitting term for Trump. Yet, there remains a paradox where he is termed a “strong leader,” a sentiment that has notably increased in countries where his approval is relatively high.
The survey, conducted between January 8 and April 26, also unveiled sharp ideological and partisan divides in sentiments toward Trump. Right-leaning individuals typically expressed more favorable views compared to their left-leaning counterparts. For instance, in Israel, a stunning 93% of right-leaning respondents expressed confidence in Trump—a stark contrast to only 21% of those on the left.
In various European countries, supporters of far-right and right-wing populist parties showed a marked preference for Trump. In Hungary, 88% of Fidesz party supporters had confidence in him, while only 27% of those with a negative view of the party felt similarly. The trend was echoed in Germany, Poland, and the UK, where parties aligned with the far-right demonstrated stronger support for Trump compared to their opposers.
A gender gap in perceptions of Trump was also noticeable, with confidence in him being significantly higher among men in 17 of the 24 surveyed nations. The gap varied, from 19 points in Sweden (5% for women versus 24% for men) to 17 points in the UK (28% versus 45%).
Overall, while Trump’s ratings have plummeted in many countries, there remains a complex tapestry of opinions shaped by factors like ideology, gender, and geography. As perceptions of both Trump and the United States evolve, these shifting sentiments could play a crucial role in shaping future international relations.
