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China Tops U.S. in Favorability Across 25 Nations

7/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Pew Research Center reported on July 16, 2026 that China led the United States in 25 of 36 countries, the first such lead in two decades.
The shift, linked to cultural campaigns and Brazil-Peru ties, reflected worsening U.S. views because of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy and tariffs.
Susannah Patton, fellow at the Lowy Institute, said the findings confirm a collapse of U.S. soft power driven by force and coercion.

History

Historical Context

Pew Research Center’s attitude surveys, which interviewed 28,333 people in 24 countries from Jan 8 to Apr 26 2025, show U.S. favorability slipping while China’s image improved. A 2026 Pew poll finds China ahead of the United States in most of the 36 nations surveyed, prompting Lowy Institute analyst Susannah Patton to call for a U.S. diplomatic reset.

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Story summary

Pew Research Center reported on July 16, 2026 that China led the United States in 25 of 36 countries, the first such lead in two decades.
The shift, linked to cultural campaigns and Brazil-Peru ties, reflected worsening U.S. views because of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy and tariffs.
Susannah Patton, fellow at the Lowy Institute, said the findings confirm a collapse of U.S. soft power driven by force and coercion.

1 / 2