By Jeffrey Stein
Washington, D.C. – Global perceptions of the United States have taken a significant hit following the re-election of President Donald Trump, according to the 2025 Democracy Perception Index. The annual report, conducted by Nira Data for the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, surveyed over 110,000 adults from more than 100 countries in early April, revealing a marked decline in favorable views of America since Trump’s return to office in January 2025.
The Democracy Perception Index, which examines attitudes toward democracies, geopolitics, and the perception of the world’s most important powers, paints a concerning picture of America’s standing on the global stage. The 2024 data had already indicated a slip in US favorability, but the 2025 poll confirms a substantial deterioration following Trump’s return.
“The United States is viewed more negatively than positively in most countries around the world,” Nira Data noted in its analysis. The negative sentiment is particularly pronounced in the Middle East and North Africa, with countries like Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan expressing the most unfavorable opinions.
Despite the overall trend, some regions still hold a positive view of the US. Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe show the most positive ratings. Notably, Romania and Poland in Eastern Europe continue to maintain a positive perception of the United States.
The poll also revealed a significant shift in global power dynamics. “For the first time, more countries now hold a positive view of China than of the United States,” Nira Data CEO Dr. Nico Jaspers stated, calling the finding “a striking indicator of how public opinion is evolving across different regions and political systems.”
One of the most striking findings of the survey centered on individual leaders. President Trump, globally recognized by 85% of respondents, also achieved a nearly universally negative perception rating, scoring a net negative perception in 82% of countries.
By contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping enjoys considerably better global ratings. While democratic countries generally hold negative views of Xi, perceptions are more evenly split overall, with slightly positive views in authoritarian countries. Nira Data noted that even in countries with negative views, Xi’s perception is less negative than that of Trump or Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Democracy Perception Index highlights a significant challenge for the United States in regaining global trust and influence under the current administration. The findings underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the factors driving these negative perceptions in order to effectively navigate an increasingly complex and competitive international landscape.
