China’s Global Favorability Surpasses US, Pew Survey Finds

For the first time in roughly two decades of tracking, China is now viewed more favorably than the United States across a majority of countries surveyed worldwide, according to a landmark Pew Research Center report released July 15. The survey of 42,151 adults across 35 countries and territories found that in 25 of 36 countries, more people hold favorable views of China than the U.S. — a historic reversal in global public opinion.

A Historic Shift in Global Perception

The median favorability rating for China across all surveyed countries stands at 46%, compared to 36% for the United States. This marks a dramatic turnaround from 2023, when the U.S. enjoyed a 58% median favorability rating against China’s 32% — a 26-point gap in America’s favor.

“It marks the first time in the roughly 20 years Pew has been tracking global opinions that China has been viewed more positively than the U.S.,” said Laura Silver, associate director of Pew’s Global Attitudes Research, as reported by the Associated Press.

Countries where China now leads in favorability include several traditional U.S. allies: Canada, Mexico, Australia, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The U.S. retains a lead in only six countries: Israel, Japan, India, South Korea, the Philippines, and Poland.

What’s Driving the Reversal?

Pew researchers point to a combination of factors, with declining views of the United States under President Donald Trump’s second term playing a more significant role than surging Chinese popularity.

Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods, demands to control Greenland, threats to NATO allies, and a transactional approach to foreign policy have alienated traditional partners. The U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran, launched in February 2026 — coinciding with the survey period — further damaged America’s image.

“There was just an actual relationship between the outbreak of the war and the sense that the U.S. is just not contributing to peace and stability and that people have less confidence in Donald Trump,” Silver told the Associated Press.

Canada’s shift is particularly stark: favorable views of the U.S. plummeted from 57% in 2023 to 33% in 2026, while favorable views of China rose from 14% to 44% over the same period.

Leadership Confidence Reversed

Confidence in national leaders has followed a similar trajectory. In 22 of 36 countries, more people express confidence in Chinese President Xi Jinping than in President Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs. However, Pew researchers note that confidence in both leaders remains low in many countries.

In major European powers — Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom — Xi leads Trump by double digits, though his highest favorability rating is just 37%, in the U.K.

China as a ‘Reliable Partner’

In 17 middle-income countries surveyed, a median of 75% say the U.S. interferes in other countries’ affairs, compared to 45% for China. China is increasingly seen as a more reliable partner. In South Africa, for instance, 72% view China as a reliable partner versus 46% for the U.S.

“By comparison, we know that China is seen to be a more reliable partner in many places. It’s more likely to be seen to contribute to global peace and stability,” Silver said, as reported by the Associated Press.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington welcomed the findings, stating that the poll “demonstrates that China’s governance achievements and development progress are widely recognized,” according to The Guardian.

The Personal Freedoms Gap Narrows

The U.S. still leads China on perceptions of government respect for personal freedoms, but that gap is shrinking dramatically. In Sweden, the share saying the U.S. respects personal freedoms fell from 61% in 2021 to just 27% in 2026. Similar drops of 25 percentage points or more occurred in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Spain.

Implications for Global Soft Power

The findings represent a significant shift in global soft power dynamics. China’s Belt and Road Initiative, economic partnerships, and diplomatic outreach appear to be bearing fruit in public perception, even as Beijing faces ongoing criticism over human rights, Xinjiang, and Taiwan.

As the U.S. and China compete for influence worldwide, the erosion of America’s standing among traditional allies raises questions about the long-term sustainability of alliance structures. The White House, through spokesperson Olivia Wales, defended Trump’s record, asserting that the president “has done more for global stability than anyone else.”

What to Watch

The survey was conducted during a period of active U.S. military engagement in Iran, and Pew researchers caution that some of the shift may be tied to specific Trump administration policies rather than permanent realignment. Future surveys will reveal whether this trend continues or represents a temporary reaction to current geopolitical circumstances.