A new Pew Research Center study was released, showing the United States under Trump has taken an international nosedive. Favorability ratings have plummeted since President Obama left office, not just within our country, but around the world as well. 538‘s aggregated poll shows Trump has a 39.5% approval rating within the U.S. and a 55.2% disapproval rating as of June 26, 2017.
After only five months, the thirty-seven nations polled favorability of the U.S. at 49%, compared to 64% at the end of Obama’s tenure. The plummet among our closest allies, including Mexico, Canada, Germany, and Spain were even greater.
Mexicans have a 30% favorable view of the U.S., down 33%, and only 5% confidence in Trump. This probably can be attributed to his campaign pledge to “build a wall and make Mexico pay for it,” along with his racist remarks about them.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. … They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people,” Trump said in his announcement speech. June 2015.
Canadians favorability ratings dropped by 22 points to 43%, and Germany fell to 35%. Trump has accused both countries of unfair trade practices. He has referred to the North American Free Trade Agreement as a “disaster for our country,” referring specifically to Canada; he cited lumber, energy, timber, and dairy specifically. (FP)
We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for U.S. This will change
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2017
He has also announced the United States will exit the Paris climate accord.
Mr. Trump’s decision to abandon the agreement for environmental action signed by 195 nations is a remarkable rebuke to heads of state, climate activists, corporate executives and members of the president’s own staff, who all failed to change his mind with an intense, last-minute lobbying blitz. The Paris agreement was intended to bind the world community into battling rising temperatures in concert, and the departure of the Earth’s second-largest polluter is a major blow. (NYT)
Only 22% of those surveyed trust Trump and feel he will do right in world affairs, as compared to Obama, who had a 64% confidence level. Trump fell below Russian President Putin (27%) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (28%).
Russia and Israel were the only two countries where ratings improved over Obama. Russia’s confidence increased 11% to 53%, and Israel came up 7% to 56%.
The majority of people disapprove of Trump’s plan to build a wall on the Mexican border, withdraw from major trade agreements, and the travel ban restriction on some Muslim countries. Trump was described as arrogant, intolerant, and dangerous.
Foreigners still retain a positive view of Americans as a whole, however, at 58%. That is an impressive number considering who we elected as president, so perhaps the world will forgive us after all.