Pew survey finds China rated more favorably than the U.S. in most countries polled
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- China’s broader favorability marks a real shift in global opinion, while the United States still retains a clear advantage on perceived respect for personal freedoms.
- They split on
- Whether the story is about U.S. leadership losing legitimacy abroad, or about liberty remaining the truer test of leadership despite shifting global favor.
The Facts
- Pew Research Center found that people in 25 of 36 surveyed countries and territories viewed China more favorably than the United States.
- The survey was conducted between February and May 2026 and included more than 42,000 respondents across 36 countries and territories.
- Multiple reports say this is the first time in roughly two decades of Pew tracking that China has been rated more favorably than the U.S. in a majority of the places surveyed.
- In only six surveyed countries did respondents view the United States more positively than China: Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan and Israel.
- The survey found that Xi Jinping was viewed more favorably than Donald Trump in 22 of the 36 countries and territories surveyed.
- Respondents generally rated the United States higher than China on respect for personal freedoms.
- Respondents were more likely to say the United States interferes in other countries' affairs than to say the same about China; one BBC report cited median shares of 75% for the U.S. and 45% for China.
- The findings indicate a shift in international public opinion as the U.S. and China compete for global influence.
Context
What exactly did Pew measure?
Pew surveyed adults in 36 countries and territories from February to May and asked about their views of China and the United States, as well as their views of Xi Jinping and Donald Trump BBC,mint,Times of India.
Does the survey mean China is viewed more positively everywhere?
No. While China was rated more favorably in 25 of the 36 places surveyed, the U.S. was still viewed more positively in six countries: Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan and Israel Guardian,mint,Cumhuriyet.
Were views of the two countries the same across all issues?
No. Respondents still tended to see the U.S. as more respectful of personal freedoms, but they were also more likely to say the U.S. interferes in other countries' affairs than China does BBC,BBC,Los Angeles Times.
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