Global views on the U.S. president - statistics & facts
With over 60 national elections set to take place, 2024 is slated to be a defining year for global politics. Among the more highly anticipated national elections is the United States presidential election on November 5th. The election was set to be be a re-match of the 2020 election, in which Joe Biden won a majority of votes, despite Donald Trump repeatedly claiming the opposite and that the election was rigged. No evidence have been found of these claims. However, after a disastrous debate performance from Biden in June, much speculation about his mental fitness, and calls from profiled Democrats for him to step down as the party's presidential candidate, the incumbent announced in late July that he is stepping down as the Democrats' presidential candidate for the election. At the time of writing, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to be the new candidate, although this is set to be confirmed at the party's National Convention in August. The 2024 election is being watched with much anticipation around the world as the outcome will have a significant impact on world politics over the next four years.
Also in most European countries, people prefer Biden as president over Trump. Fears are rising from Warsaw to Paris over Trump questioning his commitment to the military alliance NATO, and to his comments signaling a significant reduction of military aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Additionally, in February 2024 the Republican candidate encouraged Russia to do 'whatever the hell they want' with NATO allies not spending more than two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. In 2024, a majority of member states met this target, which is guiding but not binding.
The global view on the United States varies depending on the president in office. For instance, global approval of the leadership of the U.S. was highest under Barack Obama, while it was at its lowest under Donald Trump's presidential term, underlining his unpopularity in many countries around the world. Looking at for instance Mexico, only eight percent had confidence in president Trump in 2019, compared to over 40 percent in Biden in 2023. The share of Americans who thought that world leaders had respect for their president also varied from president to president, with George W. Bush recording both the highest and the lowest levels.
Biden the preferred candidate around the world
In most countries around the world, people preferred incumbent President Joe Biden to be re-elected as President of the United States. Looking at the Americas, the region closest to the U.S. geographically, all countries had higher confidence in Joe Biden than Donald Trump doing the right thing in world politics, but the approval ratings fell below 40 percent in all countries surveyed. Trump has been a fierce critic of immigration from Latin American countries, calling them 'animals' and claiming that immigrants are 'invading the country'. The remarks are likely to have made him few friends south of the border. Moreover, Trump started constructing a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border during his presidency, a measure that only was supported by nine percent of Mexicans.Also in most European countries, people prefer Biden as president over Trump. Fears are rising from Warsaw to Paris over Trump questioning his commitment to the military alliance NATO, and to his comments signaling a significant reduction of military aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Additionally, in February 2024 the Republican candidate encouraged Russia to do 'whatever the hell they want' with NATO allies not spending more than two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. In 2024, a majority of member states met this target, which is guiding but not binding.
The U.S. on the global stage
As a leading global player, and with involvement in wars and conflicts around the world since WWII, the United States continue to divide opinions. While a majority have a favorable view of the United States worldwide, opinions vary significantly from country to country. One topic that particularly divides opinions is the war on Gaza and the Middle East conflict. The U.S. is a long time ally of Israel, and 80 percent of Israelis approve of the global leadership of the U.S., compared to only 11 percent of Palestinians.The global view on the United States varies depending on the president in office. For instance, global approval of the leadership of the U.S. was highest under Barack Obama, while it was at its lowest under Donald Trump's presidential term, underlining his unpopularity in many countries around the world. Looking at for instance Mexico, only eight percent had confidence in president Trump in 2019, compared to over 40 percent in Biden in 2023. The share of Americans who thought that world leaders had respect for their president also varied from president to president, with George W. Bush recording both the highest and the lowest levels.
