The world’s perception of global superpowers has undergone a remarkable transformation. A recent study by the Pew Research Center indicates that China is now viewed more favorably than the United States in many countries around the world. This shift marks the first time such results have been recorded by the organization.
The findings suggest that favorable views of China have reached record highs in several countries, while perceptions of the United States have worsened. This change in sentiment is significant, as it reflects a broader trend in global attitudes towards these two major powers.
Changing Perceptions of China and the US
In 25 of the 36 countries surveyed, more people expressed favorable views of China than of the US. This is a stark contrast to previous years, where the US was generally viewed more positively. The survey, which polled over 42,000 people between February and May 2026, highlights a growing preference for China in regions such as Spain, Indonesia, Italy, Greece, and Canada.
Only six countries in this year’s survey still favor the US more, most of which are staunch US allies: Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan, and Israel. The median favorable opinion of the US across 20 countries has dropped steadily in recent years, while the median favorable opinion of China has been rising.
Confidence in Leadership: Xi Jinping vs. Donald Trump
The survey also asked respondents about their confidence in the leaders of these two nations. However, many of the surveyed countries tended to have more confidence in Xi than in Trump.
The highest and lowest ratings for Xi came from Pakistan and Japan, respectively, at 83% and 7%. For Trump, the highest rating was 68% from the Philippines, and the lowest was 4% from the West Bank/East Jerusalem. The survey found that people generally do not have as strong an opinion on Xi as they do for other leaders, while opinions on Trump were more polarized.
Foreign Policy and Personal Freedoms
While the US is still seen to respect personal freedoms more than China, the gap has narrowed. The survey found that a median of 75% felt that the US interfered in the affairs of other countries a great deal or a fair amount, while 45% said the same of China. This perception of US interference has contributed to the shift in global opinions.
Other institutions have carried out similar research, suggesting that China’s image, which dipped during the pandemic, has only made a modest recovery since. The volatility of US policy, including the use of force and the resulting economic harm, has put many on edge. In contrast, China is seen as a more predictable entity at present, especially in developing countries.
The disparity between the high favourability scores for China and the relatively lower confidence in Xi suggests that while China may be more predictable, it does not take away from the fact that Xi is a major authoritarian figure. Under Xi’s leadership, China has adopted more assertive and expansive claims, including more insistence that others align with its view of the world.
