Global Confidence in U.S., Trump Declines, New Pew Survey Finds

Global confidence in the United States and President Donald Trump has continued to decline, according to a new survey released by the Washington-based Pew Research Center.

The survey, published on Tuesday, found that people around the world remain largely skeptical of Trump’s leadership and increasingly view the United States less favorably as a reliable international partner.

The study was conducted between February and May 2026 and included 42,151 adults across 36 countries. The survey period coincided with heightened geopolitical competition between the United States and China, as well as U.S. involvement in military conflict with Iran.

According to the findings, only 23 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to make the right decisions regarding international affairs. In contrast, nearly two-thirds said they had little or no confidence in his leadership on global issues.

Comparative data showed that confidence in Trump declined in 16 of the 24 countries where trend data were available. No country recorded an improvement in public confidence toward the U.S. president.

The survey also indicated a broader decline in perceptions of the United States itself. Across the 36 countries surveyed, only 37 percent of respondents held a favorable view of the United States, while 57 percent expressed an unfavorable opinion.

Support for the United States fell by more than 10 percentage points in several countries, including Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey.

The findings highlight growing international concerns about U.S. leadership and foreign policy, suggesting that Washington’s global image continues to face significant challenges under the current administration.