Pew Illustrates Trump's Global Ratings

Recent reports show that the U.S. has faced a decline in global soft power, but how does this compare to domestic public opinion? A recent Pew Research Center study surveying 32 countries shows that foreign publics have little confidence in Trump and his international policies. However, opinions of the U.S. still remain generally favorable despite having declined since Trump's inauguration.  

A median of 64 percent worldwide say they do not have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in international affairs. Still, several trends have emerged in the past couple of years. On the ideological right, confidence in Trump and his policies has increased, although his approval ratings are also lower than his contemporaries Merkel (Germany), Putin (Russia) and Macron (France), with only Xi having a lower median confidence.

"Again, on balance, foreign publics lack confidence in Trump to do the right thing when it comes to world affairs," the study notes. "The survey, conducted in spring and summer 2019, finds that the lack of confidence in the 45th U.S. president is driven in part by opposition to his policies."

Read the full report, "Trump Ratings Remain Low Around Globe, While Views of U.S. Stay Mostly Favorable," published by the Pew Research Center here.

Learn more about public opinion in the digital era via study author and Pew Senior Researcher Jacob Poushter in his 2018 episode of CPD's The Public Diplocast.

Learn more about the next decade of soft power from CPD's 2019 event with the Pew Research Center, including videos, photos and more, here.