A new Gallup poll testing worldwide confidence in the leaders of world powers reveals that “median approval of U.S. leadership across 134 countries and areas stands at a new low of 30 percent,” down from 48 percent in 2016. Among Israeli respondents, U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating is 67 percent.
In particular, support for America’s leaders is down sharply in Canada, Mexico, South America and Europe. Support for U.S. leaders rose throughout much of Asia and North Africa.
Israel was one of only four countries, along with Liberia, Macedonia and Belarus, with an increase of 10 percentage points or more in support for America’s leaders.
The poll was taken before Trump announced his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, his intention to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and his vow to no longer waive nuclear sanctions on Iran. Each of those policy decisions may have contributed to Israelis’ increased support for U.S. leadership.
Germany now tops the poll as the country with the most trusted leadership, above the United States, China and Russia.
