US global image plummets under Trump, survey shows

Rasa - America’s standing in the world has deteriorated sharply under US President Donald Trump and many of his key policies are broadly unpopular around the globe, according to a new survey.

News ID: 430633

Date: 27 June 2017 - 23:46

RNA - The survey conducted in 37 nations by the Pew Research Center shows that just 49 percent of people in those countries have a positive view of the US, compared to 64 percent at the end of former President Barack Obama’s term.

Just 22 percent have confidence in Trump to do the right thing when it comes to international affairs, in contrast to the final years of Obama when a median of 64 percent expressed confidence in his leadership.

The falls were much larger in some of America's closest allies, including US neighbors Canada and Mexico, and European partners like Germany and Spain.

"The drop in favorability ratings for the United States is widespread," the Pew report said. "The share of the public with a positive view of the U.S. has plummeted in a diverse set of countries from Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia and Africa".

In many countries, the US ratings were comparable to those seen at the end of the presidency of George W. Bush, whose invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan was deeply unpopular.

In France, Germany, Britain and Spain, the low levels of confidence in Trump are very similar to the poor ratings for Bush in 2008.

Globally, 75 percent of respondents described Trump as "arrogant", 65 percent as "intolerant" and 62 percent as "dangerous."

The survey showed widespread disapproval of Trump's signature policy proposals, with 76 percent unhappy with his plan to build the wall on the border with Mexico, 72 percent against his withdrawal from major trade agreements and 62 percent opposed to his plans to restrict travel to the U.S. from some majority-Muslim countries.

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