politico.eu
Global Approval of the U.S. Plummets After Trump's Return
A new survey reveals a significant drop in the global popularity of the United States following Donald Trump's return to the presidency, with China surpassing the U.S. in positive global perception for the first time, while Russia's image is also improving, although remaining slightly more unpopular than the U.S. The survey involved 111,273 respondents across 100 countries and was conducted between April 9-23, 2025.
- What factors beyond Trump's presidency contributed to the shifting global perceptions of the U.S., China, and Russia?
- The survey, involving over 110,000 respondents across 100 countries, shows a correlation between Trump's presidency and negative U.S. perception. This contrasts with China's rising global standing, except in Europe. Even Russia, despite its unpopularity due to the Ukraine invasion, shows a slightly improved image compared to the U.S.
- What are the long-term implications of these shifts in global perception for U.S. foreign policy and international relations?
- Trump's low global popularity, even compared to Putin and Xi Jinping, suggests potential long-term damage to U.S. foreign relations. The contrast between the U.S.'s declining image and China's rise highlights a shift in global power dynamics. Increased scrutiny of Israel's actions, potentially stemming from ICC war crime allegations, further complicates global perceptions.
- How has Donald Trump's return to the White House impacted the global perception of the United States, and what are the immediate consequences?
- The 2025 Democracy Perception Index reveals a significant drop in global approval of the United States, particularly within the EU, following Donald Trump's return to the presidency. His negative rhetoric towards the EU likely contributed to this decline. China surpassed the U.S. in positive global perception.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and opening sentence immediately establish a negative tone, focusing on the decline in US popularity. This framing sets the stage for a predominantly negative narrative and influences reader perception. The inclusion of Trump's negative comments about the EU further emphasizes this negative framing. Subsequent sections on China and Russia present improvements in their image as contrasting the negativity around the US and Israel, further highlighting negative aspects.
Language Bias
While largely factual, the article uses language that leans towards negativity when describing the US and Israel. Phrases such as "massive hit," "steep decline," and "worst score" contribute to a negative tone. More neutral phrasing could include terms such as "significant decrease" or "lower than average scores." Describing Trump's comments as "negative" is a value judgement rather than neutral reporting.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative perception of the US and Israel, but omits potential counter-narratives or positive aspects of their global standing. While acknowledging limitations of space, a more balanced perspective could include mentions of any positive international initiatives or policies undertaken by these countries. The article also omits details about the methodology of the survey beyond stating it was online, raising questions about sampling bias and the potential influence of online echo chambers.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified view of the global landscape, focusing on a negative-positive dichotomy for countries. The nuanced and complex realities of international relations are reduced to simple popularity rankings, neglecting the multitude of factors influencing global perceptions. For example, the causes of negative perceptions are only superficially touched upon.
Gender Bias
The analysis doesn't appear to exhibit significant gender bias. Gender is mentioned in the methodology section regarding representative sampling based on age and gender distribution, suggesting an effort towards inclusivity in data collection. However, the lack of gendered analysis in the reporting of the survey results leaves room for further scrutiny.
Sustainable Development Goals
The decline in the U.S.'s global popularity, particularly in the EU, due to President Trump's rhetoric and actions, negatively impacts international relations and cooperation. This undermines efforts towards peace and strong institutions. The ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders further highlights the challenges to international justice and accountability.