Australians hold some of the least favourable views of US, Trump

Australians hold some of the least favorable views of the United States and its current president, Donald Trump, according to a comprehensive global survey conducted by the Pew Research Center. The findings reveal a significant decline in public perception of both the U.S. and Trump among Australians, with only 18 percent expressing confidence in Trump's ability to handle global affairs correctly. This figure highlights a stark contrast with previous years, particularly under former President Joe Biden, whose administration saw higher levels of trust from the Australian populace.

The survey, which included responses from over 42,000 individuals across 36 countries, indicates that the majority of the world now holds an unfavorable view of the United States. Approximately half of the respondents felt that Washington could not be relied upon as a dependable partner, while fewer than a quarter expressed confidence in Trump. Specifically, 82 percent of Australians stated they had no confidence in Trump's capacity to make the right decisions in international matters.

In terms of national sentiment toward the United States, 76 percent of Australians viewed the country unfavorably, surpassing other nations such as the United Kingdom (58 percent), Canada (66 percent), Japan (50 percent), Spain (67 percent), and France (70 percent). Only Sweden, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, and the West Bank/East Jerusalem (treated separately in the survey) exhibited more negative opinions of the U.S. Conversely, the U.S. enjoyed the highest favorability ratings in Israel (81 percent), Ghana (68 percent), Nigeria, and Kenya (each at 63 percent).

The survey further revealed that the proportion of Australians who considered the U.S. a reliable partner plummeted to 37 percent, a sharp decline from 79 percent in 2022 when Biden was in office. This trend mirrors similar decreases observed in other countries with long-standing economic and security ties to the U.S., including Canada. Researchers noted that this shift in opinion has occurred across multiple regions, especially within America's key Asia-Pacific allies.

Australians also demonstrated one of the most negative perceptions of Trump personally, with 82 percent lacking confidence in his global leadership capabilities. This level of skepticism aligns with sentiments shared by citizens in Canada, Thailand, Italy, Germany, and France. Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping garnered more trust from Australians than Trump, with 23 percent expressing confidence in his decision-making abilities, compared to 18 percent for Trump. This pattern of preference for Xi over Trump was evident in many of the surveyed countries, though the margin varied.

The global survey was conducted between February and May 2026, capturing public sentiment during a period marked by rising support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party in Australia. Most interviews were conducted after the commencement of the Iran War on February 28, underscoring the influence of geopolitical tensions on public opinion. The Pew Research Center, known for its nonpartisan approach, has been examining attitudes toward the U.S. for over two decades, providing valuable insights into shifting dynamics in international relations.

Concurrently, the Lowy Institute in Australia reported a decline in sentiment toward the U.S., noting that trust in the superpower to act responsibly had reached a historic low of 31 percent, barely ahead of China. Despite these negative assessments, nearly three-quarters of Australians still regarded the U.S. alliance as crucial to their national security, indicating a complex relationship characterized by both skepticism and strategic importance.

Recent data also suggests a decrease in Australian travel to the U.S. for leisure purposes, with arrivals dropping by 9.2 percent in the first five months of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year. This decline was primarily attributed to a reduction in tourism visas, although business visas showed slight increases and student visas rose by almost 5 percent. These figures reflect broader global trends, illustrating how changing perceptions can impact international travel patterns and cultural exchanges.