A recent Pew Research Center survey shows China has overtaken the United States in global favorability for the first time in 20 years. The study, covering 36 countries, highlights a major shift in public perception influenced by geopolitical events and confidence in national leadership. While the US retains a positive edge in nations like India and Japan, the narrowing gap reflects broader changes in international sentiment.
For the first time in two decades of tracking by the Pew Research Center, China has recorded higher global favorability ratings than the United States. The comprehensive survey, which polled over 42,000 individuals across 35 countries and territories between February and May 2026, reveals a notable shift in international public opinion.
Shifts in Global Sentiment and Leadership
Data from the study indicates that 25 of the 36 surveyed locations now view China more favorably than the US. This marks a departure from historical trends where the United States consistently held a more positive global image. The survey also evaluated perceptions of national leaders, finding that Chinese President Xi Jinping received more favorable views than US President Donald Trump in 22 of the 36 countries surveyed.
Researchers noted that while confidence in both leaders remains relatively low, the comparative advantage for China appears to be growing. This shift is partially attributed to the fading memory of the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in positive sentiment toward the US, which researchers link to perceptions regarding US international actions, including its role in ongoing global conflicts and trade disputes.
Impact on US Allies
The change in perception is particularly visible in traditional US-allied nations. In Canada, for instance, favorable views of the US declined significantly to 33%, while positive sentiment toward China increased to 44%. Similar trends were noted across several European nations and the UK, where the long-standing preference for the US image has weakened or leveled out compared to China.
Despite this overall trend, the United States continues to hold a more favorable image in several key nations, including India, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Israel, and Poland. However, even in these countries, the survey reported a general weakening of positive perceptions toward the US over the last few years.
Perception of Personal Freedoms
One area where the US has historically maintained a significant lead is in the perception of respect for personal freedoms. The latest findings show that while the US still scores higher than China in this category, the gap is narrowing. In almost every surveyed country, fewer people now believe that the US government respects the personal freedoms of its citizens compared to results from 2021. As global dynamics continue to evolve, international policy decisions and the perceived contribution of both nations to global stability will remain critical factors to track for those following geopolitical trends.