Chicago Thursday, June 12th, 2025
Global Opinion on Trump’s Leadership
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center shows that most people in key US allies don’t trust President Trump’s leadership in world affairs. The survey was conducted in 24 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.
Countries with Low Confidence in Trump
- France: More than half of the French people have no confidence in Trump’s leadership.
- United Kingdom: The UK also shows low confidence in Trump’s ability to lead.
- Germany: Germans don’t trust Trump’s leadership, with less than 20% confident in his handling of climate change.
- South Korea: South Koreans also have low confidence in Trump’s leadership.
- Japan: Less than a third of Japanese people trust Trump’s ability to manage global economic problems.
Why People Don’t Trust Trump
According to Richard Wike from Pew, people worldwide want a more engaged America that works collaboratively with other countries to address global challenges. Trump’s decisions, like pulling out of the Paris climate accord and imposing tariffs on allies and rivals, have contributed to the negative views.
Impact of International Opinion
While foreigners don’t vote in US elections, international opinion still matters. When the US is popular, it’s easier for leaders to cooperate with America. As Wike says, “Politicians respond to incentives,” meaning they might be more willing to work with the US if it’s seen positively .
