For the first time, China and President Xi Jinping are viewed more favorably than the United States and its president in most of the 36 major countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center, including traditional US allies such as Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Only in six countries did people rate the US more highly.
Pew Research reveals dramatic shift in global perceptions
The polling data, released this year, shows a significant improvement in China's standing alongside a sharp decline in US favorability. Across 20 countries, the median percentage with a favorable view of China rose from 32% to 46% between 2023 and this year. For the US, it fell from 58% to 36%. Views of China were much more positive in Latin America, Africa, and parts of South and Southeast Asia than in wealthier European and East Asian countries.
US actions undermine its global image
According to the Pew Research, in nearly every country surveyed, more people believed the US interfered in other countries than thought China did so. President Donald Trump's demands to take over Greenland, the abduction of Venezuela's then leader Nicolás Maduro, and the illegal war on Iran have all left their mark. Even the World Cup, which should have been an easy US soft power win, has been tarnished by his exclusion and bullying. Trump accused China of interfering with the 2020 election without evidence, while offering Argentinians a $20bn economic incentive to vote in line with his preference.
China's strategic investments in influence
China is increasingly investing in overseas influence operations, including working with or amplifying local social media content creators. Content ranges from paid-for Xinjiang travelogues intended to erase concerns about the persecution of Uyghurs to softer material about food or technology. The Pew findings may further convince Beijing of Washington's hegemonic decline. China is keen to encourage the belief that it is leaping into a shiny new future of cyberpunk cities, while the West struggles with a declining standard of living.
Grave concerns about Beijing remain
Though China has dialed back displays of aggressive wolf-warrior diplomacy, it remains forceful in its dealings. It may benefit from lower expectations and looks predictable beside Trump-created turmoil. Beijing has just one ally: North Korea, while Washington has more than 50 but seems to accord them less respect than adversaries. Beijing detained two Canadian citizens for more than 1,000 days in retaliation for Ottawa's arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou due to a US warrant, but Trump announced that Canada will be the 51st state.
Public perceptions of other countries are often complex and volatile. US standing rebounded after dropping sharply over the Iraq war; China's favorability ratings fell during the pandemic, reflecting its handling of the outbreak. The lasting lesson for both superpowers should be that presentation shapes opinion, but others will judge them on their actions and respond accordingly, as noted by the editorial.
