America’s reputation abroad is on the rebound after four years of decline during the Trump presidency, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center. The survey, which polled 3,576 adults in 23 countries, found that 59 percent have a favorable opinion of the United States, while 30 percent do not. Similarly, 54 percent have confidence in President Biden, while 39 percent do not. Poland gave the United States the highest rating, with 93 percent viewing America positively, while Hungary was the only nation where fewer than half, 44 percent, had a favorable opinion.
The survey results indicate a significant shift in America’s global image since Biden’s election. While concerns about American behavior still exist, there has been a notable improvement. Pew does not have directly comparable data for previous presidencies, but confidence and popularity information by individual nations shows that Biden’s ratings are far above Trump’s.
However, the lasting damage of the Trump years still lingers. Recent interviews with individuals in Denmark and France highlighted the negative perception of America. A 16-year-old student in Copenhagen said she used to dream of going to America, but now has a mostly negative opinion due to incidents like the police killing of George Floyd and ongoing gun violence. A 72-year-old retired social worker in Toulouse, France, echoed similar sentiments, describing Trump’s “America First” policy as an insult to the rest of the world.
Biden’s reputation abroad benefits not only from not being Trump but also from specific actions he has taken. His reversal of Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization has improved America’s international image. In contrast, Trump’s international image remains unclear, as his office did not respond to requests for comment.
The survey also revealed that while a multilateralist foreign policy has a positive impact on how people view the U.S., it also raises concerns about American interference in other countries’ affairs. A majority of respondents (82 percent) said Washington interferes in the affairs of other countries, and half of them feel that America does not take their interests into account. The State Department did not respond to requests for comment on these points.
Foreign policy experts believe that while interference may not be a problem for American foreign policy, the perception that the U.S. does not consider other countries’ interests is troubling. It creates fear that the U.S. will prioritize its own gains and steamroll other nations. This sentiment was particularly strong in middle-income countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and India.
Interestingly, attitudes toward China are declining, which has led more people to consider the United States the top economic power. Pew’s survey found a negative view of China in many parts of the world, and this has indirectly impacted how people view the U.S. as well.
Overall, America’s reputation is recovering, but there is still work to be done in repairing the damage caused by the previous administration. Biden’s foreign policies and actions have undoubtedly helped improve America’s image, but concerns around interference and the perception of prioritizing American interests remain. Pew plans to expand its survey to include more countries next year, with a focus on Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world.
Original Story at www.washingtonpost.com – 2023-08-11 10:10:41
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