Pearson correlations between favorability of the U.S. and confidence in the U.S. president were calculated for 23 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.

In South Korea, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in the president was 0.37 in 2023. The figure shifted slightly to 0.35 in 2024 before rising to 0.54 in 2025. By 2026, the correlation increased to 0.61.

Historical data from 2017 shows a different dynamic in South Korea. In 2017, 16% of South Koreans expressed confidence in Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs, while 78% expressed no confidence. Despite this lack of confidence, 71% of South Koreans with no confidence in Trump still had a favorable view of the U.S.

Poland exhibited a similar trajectory of increasing correlation over time. In Poland, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in the president was 0.22 in 2017. This metric rose to 0.66 in 2026.

Public opinion in Poland also shifted regarding favorable views among those skeptical of the president. In 2017, 70% of adults in Poland who lacked confidence in Trump still had a positive view of the U.S. By 2026, that proportion decreased to 31%. In 2026, 68% of South Koreans who lack confidence in Trump have a negative view of the U.S.

Long-term trends in major European economies show fluctuation in this linkage. From 2003 to 2005, views of the U.S. were moderately correlated with confidence in the U.S. president in France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. Between 2006 and 2024, views of the U.S. and confidence in the U.S. president were generally not as closely linked in those countries.

Why It Matters

The survey results indicate that international perceptions of the United States are now tightly bound to personal assessments of its president. This represents a shift from previous periods where the two metrics were less synchronized. The data covers a span of 23 years, from 2003 to 2026, providing a long-term view of how global public opinion responds to American leadership changes.

The strengthening correlation suggests that diplomatic standing and national brand equity are increasingly dependent on the incumbent's personal approval ratings abroad. This pattern holds across diverse geopolitical contexts, from Asian allies like South Korea to European partners like Poland. The consistency across all 36 surveyed nations reflects the global nature of this trend.

Timeline

In 2017, 78% of South Koreans expressed no confidence in Donald Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs. In 2017, 71% of South Koreans with no confidence in Trump still had a favorable view of the U.S. In 2017, 70% of adults in Poland who lacked confidence in Trump still had a positive view of the U.S. In Poland, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in the president was 0.22 in 2017.

In South Korea, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in the president was 0.37 in 2023. In South Korea, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in the president increased to 0.54 in 2025. In 2026, 68% of South Koreans who lack confidence in Trump have a negative view of the U.S. In Poland, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in the president was 0.66 in 2026.

What's New

In 2026, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in Trump increased to 0.66 in Poland, with 31% of Poles who lack confidence in Trump having a positive view of the U.S. Trump is 45th and 47th President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025).

How Sources Differ

Regarding figures on those who lack confidence, the Pew Research Center Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey states that In 2026, 68% of South Koreans who lack confidence in Trump have a negative view of the U.S. Meanwhile, pewresearch.org reports that In 2026, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in Trump increased to 0.66 in Poland, with 31% of Poles who lack confidence in Trump having a positive view of the U.S.

On metrics involving and confidence, pewresearch.org notes that In 2026, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in Trump increased to 0.66 in Poland, with 31% of Poles who lack confidence in Trump having a positive view of the U.S. In contrast, the Pew Research Center Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey records that In 2017, 71% of South Koreans with no confidence in Trump still had a favorable view of the U.S.

Concerning the share holding a positive view, pewresearch.org indicates that In 2026, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in Trump increased to 0.66 in Poland, with 31% of Poles who lack confidence in Trump having a positive view of the U.S. The Pew Research Center Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey finds that In 2017, 70% of adults in Poland who lacked confidence in Trump still had a positive view of the U.S.

A detail gap exists regarding and confidence, where pewresearch.org states that In 2026, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in Trump increased to 0.66 in Poland, with 31% of Poles who lack confidence in Trump having a positive view of the U.S. The Pew Research Center Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey provides the broader finding that In all 36 countries surveyed in 2026, views of the United States are more positive among people who have confidence in President Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

Another detail gap on and confidence shows pewresearch.org reporting that In 2026, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in Trump increased to 0.66 in Poland, with 31% of Poles who lack confidence in Trump having a positive view of the U.S. The Pew Research Center Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey adds that In all 36 countries surveyed in 2026, views of the United States are more negative among people who lack confidence in President Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

A final detail gap on and confidence presents pewresearch.org stating that In 2026, the correlation between views of the U.S. and confidence in Trump increased to 0.66 in Poland, with 31% of Poles who lack confidence in Trump having a positive view of the U.S. The Pew Research Center Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey specifies that In 2026, 31% of Poles who lack confidence in Trump view the U.S. positively.