According to the Pew Research Center, Trump faces marked international distrust: in 19 of 24 countries, a majority rejects his global leadership.
The Pew Research Center's global survey revealed that the international image of US President Donald Trump remains largely negative, even after he begins his second term in January 2025. The study, conducted in 24 countries with more than 28,000 interviews, shows that the majority does not trust his leadership in global affairs.
In 19 of the 24 countries, more than half of those surveyed distrust their ability to lead internationally. The most critical assessments focus on issues such as climate change, the war in Ukraine, the global economy, and relations with China.
Despite this, Trump is considered a "strong leader" in 18 countries. This image of firmness, he believes, does not necessarily translate into confidence in his foreign policy decisions.
Ideological polarization
Political ideology strongly influences perceptions of Trump. In almost every country surveyed, those who identify with the right rate him more highly than those who identify with the left.
Israel shows one of the most marked gaps: 931% of right-wing voters trust Trump, compared to 211% of left-wing voters. There is also support among supporters of conservative parties such as the AfD in Germany, Likud in Israel, and La Libertad Avanza in Argentina.
Furthermore, gender gaps are observed in 17 countries, with more men than women expressing confidence in the president.
Decline in US image
Global perceptions of the United States have also declined. In 15 of the countries surveyed, the country's image has worsened since 2024, with significant declines in Mexico, Sweden, Poland, and Canada.
However, in Israel, Nigeria, and Türkiye, opinions toward the US have improved. These three countries, along with Hungary, India, and Kenya, show greater support for Trump's international management.
Assessments by topic
Trump receives low approval ratings on most global issues. Only 21% have confidence in his handling of climate change, while 72% express distrust. His handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is also questioned by the majority in NATO countries, except for Hungary and Greece.
Regarding China, there is strong skepticism in the Asia-Pacific region. In Japan, South Korea, and Australia, six out of ten people or more lack confidence in their ability to manage relations with the Asian country.
The only issue where Trump receives a less negative rating is immigration, with a median of 36% in confidence. Still, countries like Mexico show a resounding rejection: 87% distrust his approach to immigration.
Israel stands out as an exception. A 621% approval rating for its handling of the conflict with neighboring countries rises to 831% among right-wing voters.
Comparison with other leaders
The survey also measured trust in other leaders. Emmanuel Macron is the highest-ranked, with a trust score of 46%. Trump narrowly surpasses Xi Jinping, while Vladimir Putin scores the worst, with just 16%.
Compared to Joe Biden, Trump receives lower ratings in 13 countries. He only surpasses him in five, and the figures are similar in six.
His second term appears to continue to accentuate the divisions between supporters and detractors on the international scene.
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