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According to a
POLITICO Europe article published on May 12, 2025, the United States’ global popularity has significantly declined following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Key findings of the Democracy Perception Index, as reported by POLITICO:
- Overall decline: A majority of respondents across 100 countries held a negative view of the U.S., marking a steep decline compared to the previous year.
- EU impact: The decline in America’s reputation was particularly pronounced in European Union countries.
- China surpasses US: China’s global standing improved, overtaking the US in popularity for the first time, with mostly positive perceptions across all regions except Europe.
- Trump’s low approval: Trump’s personal global approval ratings were lower than those of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, and he received the worst score among a range of global leaders.
Possible reasons for the decline:
- Trump’s policies and rhetoric: The article suggests that Trump’s policies and rhetoric, particularly his criticisms of the EU, likely contributed to the decline in global approval.
- Broader geopolitical shifts: The article also notes a broader global division, with the US becoming less popular while China and Russia’s images are improving.
It’s important to note:
- Data source: The findings are based on the 2025 Democracy Perception Index, which surveyed over 110,000 respondents across 100 countries.
- Specific policies: The POLITICO article focuses on the overall trend of declining US popularity and doesn’t delve into specific policies driving this shift.
- Alternative perspectives: Other sources, like the Pew Research Center, may offer different perspectives on global perceptions of the US and its role in the world.