Confidence in US slides under new government

International surveys reveal a noticeable decline in global perceptions of the United States since the new administration took office, with some nations boycotting US products.

Experts warned that Washington's aggressive unilateralism, marked by trade wars, military threats, and disregard for multilateralism, is accelerating the erosion of US influence worldwide.

A Pew Research Center study released in June revealed a decrease in favorability toward the US in over half of the 24 countries surveyed. In the survey, majorities in most countries expressed "little or no confidence "in the Trump administration's ability to handle specific issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, global economic problems, and climate change.

Mexico registered the highest distrust at 91 percent, followed by Sweden, Germany and Spain, where around 80 percent of respondents showed distrust.

The reasons behind these shifts in sentiment are not hard to find. Since assuming office, the Trump administration has focused particular attention on its neighboring countries, imposing tariffs, floating the idea of annexing Canada as the 51st state, and even issuing an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America".

Beyond its immediate neighbors, the US has also initiated disruptive global tariff wars, threatened to annex Greenland and take over the Panama Canal, and withdrawn from numerous multilateral organizations.

Zhao Chen, a research fellow at the Institute of European Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted the negative impact of Trump's "brute force "diplomacy on the world.

Zhao argued that the Trump administration's "America First "rhetoric, the assertion that the world is "taking advantage of America", and the violation of international law, like bombing Iran, have significantly diminished US soft power and appeal.

Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, president of the Center for Knowledge and Public Policy in Lahore, Pakistan, said the unilateral imposition of sanctions and tariffs on Canada, Mexico and Global South countries has drastically reduced respect, trust and global acceptability of the US.

According to a poll released by Morning Consult, a US business intelligence agency, US' global net favorability plummeted from 20 in early 2024 to negative 1.5 by the end of May. In 38 out of 41 surveyed countries, public opinion of the US declined sharply, with further drops following Trump's April announcement of "reciprocal tariffs".

"The Trump administration's irrational decision-making will further erode America's global standing," warned Khan. "Military threats, student visa cancellations, anti-immigrant policies, and disregard for balanced development will only accelerate its decline as a global power broker."

Experts warned that the shift in global sentiment is not just a diplomatic concern, but is also harming the US economy. Zhao said the change in international perception of the US will not only weaken the public's affinity for American culture, but also risk shaking investor confidence in its economy and government, and deter potential foreign visitors.

A recent study by the World Travel & Tourism Council revealed the US is set to lose $12.5 billion in international tourism revenue this year, becoming the only country out of 184 analyzed expected to see a drop in visitor spending in 2025. The council warned the decline will deal a direct hit to the broader US economy.

Zhao said the Trump administration has exposed a selfish empire, unwilling to provide international public good while wielding its military and economic power to weaponize trade and investment.