US Falls Short as Global Leader: Allies Rate America Low on Dependability and Democracy
The United States is facing a stark disconnect between how Americans see their country and how several top allies view it, according to a recent poll conducted across five countries. While many Americans give their country positive reviews, the US gets low ratings from allies on its dependability in a crisis, protection of democracy, and role as a force for stability in the world. The POLITICO Poll reveals that the US global reputation appears far worse than Americans realize, with allies increasingly voicing their concern about the Trump administration’s efforts to upend longtime alliances.
The poll, conducted in the US, Canada, and the three largest economies in Europe, shows that Americans who voted for President Donald Trump in 2024 overwhelmingly give the country high marks on the world stage. However, those who backed former Vice President Kamala Harris offer negative assessments far closer to America’s allies. The results paint a lopsided picture, with Americans driven by the president’s own supporters increasingly on an island in how they view the country.
The survey found that only 49 percent of Americans said the US protects democracy, with just 35 percent of voters who backed Harris agreeing. In contrast, the ratings from other countries were much lower, with Germany giving the US a rating of 1.8 out of 10, and France and Canada giving ratings of 2.1 and 2.5, respectively. The UK gave a slightly higher rating of 3.4. The poll also found that a 36 percent plurality of Americans said the US is mostly a force for stability, but this view was not shared by other countries, with France giving a rating of 1.5, and Canada, Germany, and the UK giving ratings of 1.4, 1.3, and 1.8, respectively.
The poll’s findings are consistent with growing concerns among global leaders about the US’s standing in the international order. At the Munich Security Conference, several leaders openly questioned the United States’ reliability as a partner and a stabilizing force. The survey also found that a 57 percent majority of Americans said the US can be depended on in a crisis, but this view was not shared by other countries, with Canada giving a rating of 2.7, and France, Germany, and the UK giving ratings of 2.7, 2.5, and 3.8, respectively.
The US’s low ratings from allies are a cause for concern, as they suggest that the country’s reputation as a global leader is at risk. The Trump administration’s aggressive posture abroad and its efforts to upend longtime alliances have disrupted the longstanding world order, leaving allies doubting Washington’s reliability as a partner and a stabilizing force. As the US continues to navigate its relationships with other countries, it will be important to address these concerns and work to restore trust and credibility with its allies.
The full results of the poll can be found at politico.com/poll, as part of an ongoing project from POLITICO and Public First to measure public opinion across a broad range of policy areas. The project aims to provide insights into the views and attitudes of people in different countries, and to explore the implications of these findings for global politics and international relations.
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