By Peter Brown
Since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, global opinion of the United States has shifted dramatically – and not for the better. While some world leaders made polite overtures or offered guarded optimism, the broader international reaction has been one of disappointment, mistrust, and even alarm. Within just six months, America’s global standing has taken a sharp and measurable hit.
According to the Pew Research Center, favourable views of the U.S. have declined in 19 out of 24 countries surveyed since Trump resumed office. Confidence in Trump himself is even lower: a median of 69% of respondents said they had little or no confidence in him to do the right thing in world affairs. In 2021, under President Biden, that figure was significantly lower. Trump’s second term has quickly rekindled global fears about the unpredictability of American leadership.
The Ipsos “Global Views on the U.S.” poll paints a similar picture. As recently as late 2024, 59% of respondents across 29 countries saw the U.S. as a force for good in the world. By mid-2025, that number had fallen to 46%. While the perception of America has always fluctuated with the occupant of the Oval Office, the speed of this decline has been notable – especially among long-time allies.
The reasons for the downturn are no mystery. Trump’s renewed embrace of protectionism, his open hostility toward multilateralism, and his often combative approach to diplomacy have raised eyebrows in capitals across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. His decision to withdraw from global climate commitments, undermine NATO cohesion, and pursue unilateral deals with authoritarian-leaning regimes has left many wondering if the U.S. is abandoning its role as leader of the democratic world.
Polls also show that Trump’s personal characteristics are fuelling the shift. Across the same Pew survey, 80% of respondents described him as arrogant, 65% called him dangerous, and only 28% said he was honest. While a majority still see him as a “strong leader,” that label seems more cautionary than complimentary.
Perhaps most strikingly, the international human rights watchdog CIVICUS added the United States to its global watchlist earlier this year – an unprecedented move. The designation cites “sustained attacks on civil freedoms,” including restrictions on peaceful protest, defunding of public media, and hostile rhetoric toward journalists and judges. Once regarded as the world’s most stable democracy, the U.S. is now seen by many as a country in democratic decline.
Australia, long considered one of America’s closest allies, has also begun to reassess the reliability of its big brother. While the Albanese government continues to maintain strategic ties – particularly through AUKUS and Five Eyes – quiet discussions in Canberra reflect growing concerns about Trump’s erratic foreign policy and the implications of U.S. isolationism for regional stability. Some analysts argue that Australia may need to hedge more decisively, strengthening ties with Southeast Asia and Europe to avoid over-reliance on an increasingly volatile Washington.
In Europe, the shift has been even more pronounced. France and Germany have resumed calls for “strategic autonomy,” with growing investment in independent defence capabilities. Even Canada, historically the most diplomatically aligned with the U.S., has begun diversifying its trade relationships in anticipation of further unpredictability from its southern neighbour.
None of this is to say that America’s influence has vanished – but it is undeniably changing. The perception of the U.S. as a beacon of democracy, a steady ally, and a moral authority is weakening. What replaces it – a multipolar world, a divided West, or a recalibrated alliance system – remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that international trust, once broken, is not easily restored.
For Americans, this moment offers a sobering reflection. While domestic debates rage on, the world is watching – and increasingly, watching with wary eyes.
Dear reader, we need your support
Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.
One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.
With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.
Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.
You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969
Do Trump and his acolytes actually understand what is happening or even care?
I suspect “no” to both parts of the question.
“None of this is to say that America’s influence has vanished – but it is undeniably changing.” Well, that’s an interesting interpretation of the completely batshit crazy USA!
The USA continues to have the ability to blow up gas pipelines, or any other inconvenvient infrastructure that it considers may compromise its place as “world leader”.
Trump, with a defective brain, has the personality of an extinct rodent, a reputation lower than a worm’s willy, a record of filth, fornication, foul temper, undiplomatic outbursts, untrustworthy idiocy, depravity, untruthfulness, perverse drives, theft. Thus the USA is doomed, made to look inferior, unpredictable. We must detach and stand clear.
It is a long time since I had any respect for the US, and what little I had dissolved completely at 9/11 (an action that the US brought upon itself due to its belligerent and overbearing foreign policies), and the response from the US which we are still living with today. The American people, with the exception of a few million, are completely crazy and deserve everything that is coming to them. The shame is that as the rest of the world has allowed the US to be the world policeman and have abrogated their responsibility to their own people, everyone else will suffer, to varying degrees. The US is not and has never been a true friend to anyone, it is a transactional bully that has been allowed to bully other nations with impunity. The sooner it implodes the sooner it can become just another nation that contributes to the planet and all of its people.
Much of the world has cowered under America’s skirt for so long it is going to be hard for them to crawl out. Even now the tariff negotiations suggest a master and servant approach!!
I believe if America wants to be alone, lets help them have their wish.
I am reading that the MAGA program includes cutting funding to the US Cyclone and Tsunami tracking centres in Alaska and Hawaii.
I also read that on Tuesday the sixth most severe earthquake in recorded history struck off Russia’s far eastern coast. With a massive magnitude of 8.8, the earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula sent tsunami waves towards Japan, Hawaii and the US west coast.
In the following hours, more than two million people across the Pacific were ordered to evacuate, with alerts also issued in China, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand and as far as Peru, Chile and Mexico.
The MAGA crowd believes that it’s better not to know about these things:Ignorance is Strength!
Terry, the funding cuts are necessary. Trump needs the money for a $311 million ballroom in the White House.
Priorities.
What’s the bet that TACOitis hits the orange monstrosity on its tariff threats? I also wonder when the rest of the world grows some backbone tells the thing from the dementoverse to eff off? I see the chances of that happening being very slim to none.
Michael,
When you say “ballroom” you do mean a room for formal parties and not, ah, less…this is The Trump we’re talking about here after all?
Hi, GL.
Jeez, imagine the totally tacky and tasteless amount of gold that is going to be wasted just to please the turdpot, er, tinpot dictator. Sounds like he’s trying to outdo his heroes Putin and Kim.
Or Louis XIV.
Patricia ………….. well said.
The USA has always been the biggest terrorist on the planet. How people don’t understand this is unbelievable.
Doesn’t matter who their president is – the systems run by the corporations and all revolves around $’s. In Trump however they have got their ideal front man.
If the USA doesn’t watch it, the fantasy bubble it is tangled up in will leave it abandoned by the rest. Gaza has turned the stomachs of people worldwide.
Australia should take heed, btw.
Good dog, The Donald sacked the Commissioner of Labor Statistics at BLS because she wanted to “make me look bad” a few hours after lower employment figures were released. He’s insane!
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-job-numbers-revised-down-fires-appointee-2107768
The only thing I’m surprised about re the despicable narcissistic orange turd, is that he’s still (allegedly) alive.
As his OBBB, and unilateral tariffs take hold in America, there may well be a resumption of their favorite sport; armed revolution.