China’s Global Fandom Surges Past the US, Pew Study Shows

Sun Sep 06 2026 05:12:34 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A new Pew study reveals China now enjoys higher popularity than the US in 25 of 36 countries worldwide.

Pew’s latest survey found China enjoys record‑high favorable views in most nations, surpassing US approval in 25 of 36 surveyed countries. Confidence in Xi is higher than in Trump, but both leaders face criticism. While the U.S. still scores higher on individual freedoms, China is seen as less intrusive abroad. The trend is strongest in middle‑income countries, though some high‑income allies still back the U.S. for now, and China’s image is more predictable according to experts.

China’s Global Fandom Surges Past the US, Pew Study Shows

Pew Research Center just released a startling finding – in 25 out of 36 countries, people view China more favorably than the United States. The first time this trend has crossed a majority of surveyed nations.

Respondents rated trust in both leaders higher for Xi than for Trump, but both were overall low – from 4% to 68% confidence scores.

When asked about global influence, 75% of middle‑income participants said the U.S. interferes more than China (45%). That number drops for Brazil and India, where Chinese policies are seen as “predictable.”

The U.S. still tops praise for personal freedoms, but the gap between the two powers has quietly narrowed. In wealthy countries, the U.S. retains supporters thanks to alliances, while in the Caribbean and Latin America China’s “soft power” energy is booming.

This shift comes amid intense U.S. policy volatility – from the Trump‑era attacks on Venezuela to the war with Iran – that has shaken public trust.

Key Takeaway: China is increasingly seen as the "predictable partner" the world has been looking for, even if confidence in its leader remains mixed.