Poll shows rising trust in global institutions, less comfort with US as global leader
A 20-country survey released by the United Nations Foundation indicates nearly 90 percent of respondents believe powerful nations need the international system, while a separate Australian poll shows a loss of trust in the United States. Concurrently, domestic American polling from Gallup reveals lower public approval for recent U.S. military action in Iran than previous actions since the 1980s, alongside record-low trust in the federal judicial branch and Supreme Court job approval. While global publics seek stronger international leadership, domestic American confidence in key institutions continues to face distinct downward pressures.
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- β A 20-country poll shows nearly 90 percent believe powerful nations need the international system, alongside strong support for a woman Secretary-General.
- β According to the Lowy Institute, Australians have overwhelmingly lost trust in the United States to act responsibly in the world.
- β Eighty percent of people in Australia say the alliance with the United States is very or fairly important for the country's security.
- β Americans' approval of recent U.S. military action in Iran was lower than support for other U.S. military actions since the 1980s.
What changed
A newly released 20-country survey shows nearly 90 percent of respondents believe powerful nations need the international system.
Live updates
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Global Polls Show Backing for UN System Amid Fading US Trust
A 20-country survey released by the United Nations Foundation indicates nearly 90 percent of respondents believe powerful nations need the international system, while a separate Australian poll shows a loss of trust in the United States. Concurrently, domestic American polling from Gallup reveals lower public approval for recent U.S. military action in Iran than previous actions since the 1980s, alongside record-low trust in the federal judicial branch and Supreme Court job approval. While global publics seek stronger international leadership, domestic American confidence in key institutions continues to face distinct downward pressures.
Why it matters
International polling highlights a widening gap between broad support for global governance structures and declining foreign and domestic confidence in American leadership. In Australia, the Lowy Institute poll demonstrates that despite a rejection of specific policies under U.S. President Donald Trump, bilateral security ties remain vital to the public. Meanwhile, domestic trust within the United States has hit historic lows across multiple measures, including media freedom rankings and judicial approval.
What is confirmed
- A 20-country poll shows nearly 90 percent believe powerful nations need the international system, alongside strong support for a woman Secretary-General.
- According to the Lowy Institute, Australians have overwhelmingly lost trust in the United States to act responsibly in the world.
- Eighty percent of people in Australia say the alliance with the United States is very or fairly important for the country's security.
- Americans' approval of recent U.S. military action in Iran was lower than support for other U.S. military actions since the 1980s.
- Trust in the judicial branch of the federal government and job approval of the U.S. Supreme Court are at or near historical lows among Americans.
What to watch next
- Future global survey results regarding leadership preferences for the next United Nations Secretary-General.
- Further updates on Australian political leadership preferences concerning relations with the United States and China.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (6)
- www.gallup.com β USA | Gallup Topic
- markets.businessinsider.com β Northern Trust STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure ETF
- www.finanznachrichten.de β United Nations Foundation, Inc.: New Poll: Global Public ...
- www.thetimes.com.au β Poll shows Australians hate Trump policies and have lost ...
- news.gallup.com β All Gallup Headlines | Gallup Topic
- yougov.com β American Politics polls & surveys | YouGov
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Global trust in institutions rises, but US leadership confidence wanes
A recent survey shows rising trust in global institutions, while confidence in the US as a global leader has decreased. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer sampled over 33,000 respondents across 28 countries, finding increased trust in institutions. However, the US public's perception of China as a threat has shifted, with a partisan divide existing. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey found Beijing is seen as less of a threat.
Why it matters
The survey results come as the US faces tensions with Canada, Europe, and Iran, with crude oil prices spiking around 20% in September. President Trump addressed the United Nations amid these challenges. The Pentagon has faced reports of undercounting US military fatalities in the Iran war, with the actual death toll reaching at least 22.
What is confirmed
- The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer sampled more than 33,000 respondents across 28 countries.
- One-third of the world sees America as a threat.
- Beijing is seen as less of a threat in the Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey.
Still unconfirmed
- The Pentagon has undercounted US military fatalities in the Iran war, with the actual death toll reaching at least 22.
What to watch next
- The release of the next Edelman Trust Barometer report
- The outcome of the G-7 energy summit convened by France
- The US's future diplomatic efforts to address global concerns
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (7)
- www.thejakartapost.com β Americas & US News: Breaking American Updates
- time.com β America Must Win Back Its Global Standing
- boardagenda.com β 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer - boardagenda.com
- fortune.com β Rockefeller Foundation President: America is losing its ...
- maristpoll.marist.edu β Home of the Marist Poll | Polls, Analysis, Learning, and More
- www.thestar.com.my β Survey finds US public opinion shifting in favour of ...
- theharvardpoliticalreview.com β Harvard Public Opinion Poll 2026 - Harvard Political Review
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US Alliances Strain as Troop Casualties and Energy Costs Rise
Allies increasingly view the United States as an unreliable partner as President Trump addresses the United Nations. Tensions with Canada and Europe have risen alongside a conflict with Iran that has caused crude oil prices to spike around 20 per cent in September. Reports suggest the Pentagon has undercounted US military fatalities in the Iran war, with the actual death toll reaching at least 22. France is responding to these energy instabilities by convening a G-7 energy summit.
Why it matters
This friction follows a trend of declining global trust in US and Chinese leadership. Middle powers are seeking greater influence while international institutions see rising support. The current instability in the Middle East is driving both economic volatility and diplomatic distrust.
Still unconfirmed
- The Washington Post reports at least 22 US military fatalities in the Iran war, exceeding the Pentagon count by at least four.
- Crude prices spiked around 20 per cent in September due to tensions between the US and Iran.
- President Macron announced France will convene a G-7 energy summit.
- Allies are increasingly united in the belief that the US is not a reliable partner.
What to watch next
- President Trump's address to the United Nations General Assembly.
- Official Pentagon confirmation or denial of the reported troop fatality numbers.
- Outcomes of the G-7 energy summit convened by France.
confidence 60%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.straitstimes.com β US troop deaths during Iran war exceed Pentagon count by at least four
- www.straitstimes.com β France will convene G-7 energy summit: Macron
- www.usatoday.com β Live updates: Trump to address U.N. amid rising tensions with Canada, Europe
- ca.news.yahoo.com β Live updates: Trump to address U.N. amid rising tensions with Canada, Europe
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Global Trust Shifts Toward Institutions as US and China Leadership Declines
Global trust in the United States and China as world leaders is sinking, according to new polling data. While trust in international institutions is rising, security has become the top priority for international cooperation amid growing global pessimism. Middle powers are now seeking leadership roles due to distrust of both the US and China. Additionally, trust in these powers to regulate AI remains tied to overall favorability, with many people preferring their own country as a regulator.
Why it matters
This shift indicates a move away from a bipolar world dominated by two superpowers. The decline in US leadership is attributed by some to a recoil from the Trump administration. This environment creates a vacuum that middle powers may attempt to fill.
What is confirmed
- Trust in both US and Chinese leadership is declining.
- Global trust in international institutions is increasing.
- Security is the primary priority for international cooperation.
- Trust in the US, China, and EU to regulate AI is linked to overall favorability.
Still unconfirmed
- Global cooperation trends signal rising risks for US agriculture.
What to watch next
- New regulatory frameworks for AI from the EU, US, or China.
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (10)
- Reuters β Poll shows rising trust in global institutions, less comfort with US as global leader
- The Economist β China is not ready for a post-American world
- The Rockefeller Foundation β 2026 Polling Data Survey
- South China Morning Post β Opinion | The world is not so much embracing China as recoiling from Trumpβs US
- PR Newswire β New Global Poll: Amid Growing Pessimism, Security Tops Priorities for International Cooperation
- Agrolatam β Global Cooperation Poll Signals Rising Risks for U.S. Agriculture
- Devdiscourse β Global Sentiment Shifts: Middle Powers Seek Leadership Amid US-China Distrust
- Ψ¬Ψ±ΩΨ―Ψ© Ψ§ΩΩΨ―Ψ³ β Declining Trust in US and Chinese Leadership: Rockefeller Su
- semafor.com β Global survey finds sinking trust in US, Chinese leadership
- www.pewresearch.org β Do people trust China, the U.S. or the EU to regulate AI?
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