China is now viewed more favorably than the United States in most of the 36 countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center, a result that gives Beijing a public-opinion edge Washington has not usually faced in two decades of global polling.
The survey covered 42,151 people across six continents and found that more respondents expressed confidence in Chinese President Xi Jinping than in President Donald Trump, according to Pew’s findings. Many respondents still lacked confidence in both leaders, but the balance shifted from the pattern seen under former President Joe Biden.
Pew said that “across the 20 countries we have surveyed annually since 2023, median confidence in Xi is now higher than confidence in Trump by 10 points.”
The interviews were conducted from February 8 to May 13, a period that included U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran. The findings arrived as Trump promotes his “America First” agenda, while China presents itself as a steadier partner to countries seeking investment, trade and diplomatic cover.
The change was sharp in Canada, where U.S. favorability fell from 57% in 2023 to 33% this year. China’s rating there rose from 14% to 44%. Similar patterns appeared among other U.S. allies, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The U.S. still ranked ahead of China on respecting personal freedoms, but Pew’s data showed that advantage has narrowed since 2021. In Sweden, the share of respondents saying the U.S. respects personal freedoms fell from 61% to 27%.
Among 17 middle-income countries surveyed, Pew found that respondents more often described China as a reliable partner and as more likely to promote peace and stability. A median of 75% said the U.S. interferes in other countries’ affairs, compared with 45% who said the same of China.
The U.S. led China in favorability in only six surveyed countries, including India, Japan, the Philippines and South Korea.
