By Matt Underwood It appears that China has now surpassed the United States in terms of global approval ratings, according to a recent Gallup poll. This shift marks a significant change, as China’s median approval rating reached 36 percent in 2025, while the U.S. leadership’s rating dropped to 31 percent, an 8-percentage-point decrease from the previous year. China’s approval had actually seen an increase, rising from 32 percent in 2024, illustrating a positive trend for them.
The disapproval figures are also quite telling. While China’s disapproval rating remained relatively stable at 37 percent, the U.S. leadership’s disapproval hit a record high of 48 percent. This paints a picture of increasing global skepticism towards American leadership. For the second consecutive year, both nations registered negative net global approval ratings, but the gap was substantial: China’s median net approval was -1, whereas the U.S. plummeted to a record low of -15.
Interestingly, Gallup’s findings suggest that China’s stronger relative alignment comes from countries like Russia, Pakistan, Tunisia, and Singapore. The poll interprets this not as overwhelming enthusiasm for China, but rather as a deep-seated negativity towards the U.S. This hints at a broader discontent with American foreign policy and influence in these regions.
Conversely, countries such as Israel, Poland, Kosovo, the Philippines, and Albania continue to favor the U.S., and their views on China mirror their disapproval of China. The fact that this data is from 2025, and we’re now in a new year, raises questions about what the next poll might reveal, especially considering recent international events.
The commentary surrounding these results suggests a sentiment that the U.S. has been actively undermining its own global standing. Some feel that China, in contrast, has been acting with more maturity on the world stage. There’s a notion that while the U.S. may have been perceived as the leading superpower, its actions have led to a significant decline in its “soft power,” a concept China has reportedly been striving to build.
The idea of China stepping up to facilitate peace talks, such as hosting leaders to discuss options in Iran, is seen by some as a sign of a more stable and responsible global power emerging. This perspective suggests a stark contrast to what is perceived as instability or less constructive engagement from the U.S.
There’s a strong undercurrent of opinion that attributes the U.S.’s declining approval to its own policies and leadership, with some pointing fingers directly at specific political figures and their actions over the past few decades. The feeling is that years of foreign policy work and the cultivation of goodwill have been eroded.
Some voices express a grim outlook, suggesting that the U.S. has effectively squandered its influence and that this decline was perhaps inevitable. The narrative emerging is that China has skillfully positioned itself to fill the void left by the U.S.’s perceived missteps, achieving a level of global presence they had long aspired to.
It’s also noted that while the U.S. has seen its influence wane, China has managed to avoid certain major international incidents that could have further damaged its image, such as an invasion of Taiwan. This lack of a significant aggressive action is seen by some as a point in their favor when compared to the U.S.
The poll’s findings are interpreted by some as a direct consequence of American foreign policy, particularly the use of military force in what are perceived as unpopular wars, leading to a loss of global power and influence. The idea that the U.S. might be “winning so hard” that it’s actually detrimental to its image is also a recurring theme.
There are also specific comparisons drawn regarding societal freedoms and living conditions. Some argue that despite criticisms of authoritarianism, the perception among some individuals, including those from Western countries, is that China might be a more appealing option than certain domestic political landscapes within the U.S. This is a complex point, acknowledging that the U.S. government’s shortcomings do not inherently make the Chinese government superior, but the perception gap is narrowing.
The availability of services and goods, like TikTok, offered by China is contrasted with what some perceive as the U.S. offering little beyond rising prices. The access Americans have to information and perspectives via social media, showing aspects of Chinese life that defy negative portrayals, also contributes to this shifting perception.
Furthermore, there’s a sentiment that the U.S. is experiencing internal issues such as crumbling infrastructure, a broken healthcare system, and underperforming public education, which collectively contribute to a negative perception of the country’s overall well-being and leadership. This internal dissatisfaction, coupled with perceived foreign policy blunders, paints a bleak picture for the U.S.’s global standing.
The comments also touch upon the geopolitical landscape, suggesting that leaders in Russia, North Korea, and China are likely pleased with the current state of affairs, seeing it as a favorable turn of events for their own agendas. The perceived unraveling of the “American empire” is even welcomed by some international observers who view the U.S. as irresponsible and unpredictable.
However, a cautionary note is also struck, reminding that the perception of China’s rise and the U.S.’s decline doesn’t erase the human rights concerns associated with China, such as the situation of the Uyghurs. There’s a complex interplay of negative perceptions of both nations, with the U.S. currently bearing the brunt of global disapproval. The situation is seen as a stark indicator of how rapidly global perceptions can shift, and the U.S. appears to be facing a significant reckoning.