A Pew Research Center survey shows China now viewed more positively than the US in most countries. The shift is linked to recent conflicts and changing perceptions of global leadership.
China has surpassed the United States in global favorability for the first time in two decades, according to new data from the Pew Research Center. The survey, conducted across 36 countries and territories, reveals that in 25 of them—including Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—more people now hold a positive view of China than of the US. This marks a significant reversal from previous years, with the shift attributed to recent geopolitical tensions and a decline in confidence toward US leadership.
The research, carried out between February and May, coincided with the escalation of military actions involving the US and Israel against Iran. During this period, the image of the US deteriorated sharply, especially among traditional allies. In Canada, for example, only 33% of respondents now view the US positively, down from 57% in 2023, while favorable opinions of China rose from 14% to 44%. Similar trends were observed in major European countries, where the gap between perceptions of Washington and Beijing has narrowed or even reversed.
Leadership perceptions have also shifted. In 22 of the surveyed countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping is now viewed more favorably than US President Donald Trump. However, the survey notes that trust in both leaders remains generally low. The Pew report highlights that the decline in the US image is linked not only to foreign policy decisions—such as tariffs on Canadian goods, the US military operation against Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, and the handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict—but also to a broader sense that the US is not contributing to global peace and stability.
While the US still leads China in terms of perceived respect for personal freedoms, the gap is closing. The report points out that this is mainly due to a drop in the number of people who believe the US government respects individual liberties, rather than a dramatic improvement in China's standing. The Chinese embassy in Washington responded to the findings by emphasizing international recognition of China's governance and development progress. Meanwhile, a White House spokesperson defended President Trump's record, citing actions against Iran and drug trafficking as evidence of strong leadership.
Despite the overall trend, the US remains more popular than China in six countries: Israel, Japan, India, South Korea, the Philippines, and Poland. In Israel, support for the US is particularly strong, with around 80% expressing a positive view. However, even in these countries, favorable opinions of the US have weakened in recent years.
The Pew survey included over 42,000 participants, with margins of error ranging from 2.3 to 5.5 percentage points depending on the country. The results suggest a notable shift in the global balance of soft power, with China capitalizing on the fading memory of the COVID-19 pandemic and benefiting from comparisons with the US. For Spain and other European nations, these findings may influence diplomatic strategies and public attitudes toward both superpowers, especially as international alliances and economic ties continue to evolve. The data also underscores the volatility of global opinion, which can be shaped by recent events, leadership styles, and perceptions of each country's role in maintaining international stability.
