More countries view China more favourably than the U.S., Pew poll shows

2026-07-15

A public opinion poll released on the 15th by U.S. private survey group Pew Research Center found that in many countries and regions, favourability toward China was higher than toward the United States. In the previous 2025 survey, the U.S. had scored higher, but this was the first reversal.

China overtakes the U.S. in 36 countries and regions

The survey was conducted from Feb. 8 to May 13 among about 42,000 people in 36 countries and regions. In 20 countries, including Japan and Canada, where the survey has continued since 2023, the median share saying they had a 'favourable impression' of China was 46%, 10 percentage points above the U.S. at 36%.

Favourability toward China rose 8 points from 38% in the 2025 survey, while the U.S. fell 12 points from 48%. Of the 36 countries and regions, only six, including Japan, India and Israel, clearly viewed the U.S. more favourably than China. In Muslim countries, assessments of China far exceeded those of the U.S., with the gap reaching 75 points in Pakistan.

Japan has the lowest view of China

Among 37 countries and regions, including the U.S., Japan had the lowest favourability toward China at 11%. The highest was Pakistan at 90%, followed by Nigeria at 78% and Kenya at 76%.

Favourability toward China has been recovering after bottoming out around 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries with lower per-capita GDP tend to have stronger positive impressions of China, suggesting that Chinese investment and overseas aid may have had an impact.

Views of the U.S. worsen under Trump administration

Favourability toward the U.S. deteriorated after the start of Trump's second administration. Trust in U.S. President Donald Trump also fell in the median of 20 countries to 21% from 32% in 2025. By contrast, trust in Chinese President Xi Jinping rose to 31% from 25%, reversing the order.

The share of people who said the U.S. government 'respects the freedoms of its people' stood at a median 39% across 36 countries and regions, above China's 26%. However, the gap narrowed in many countries. Compared with the 2021 survey, fewer people in most countries said the U.S. respects freedom, with the trend especially pronounced in Europe. In Sweden, the figure fell from 61% to 27%, and in Germany from 62% to 34%.

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