Poll: Americans see U.S. world standing as worst in a decade

Americans believe the world at large sees the U.S. more unfavorably (57%) than favorably (42%), their worst assessment of the country’s image in 10 years. A year ago, Americans’ perceptions were more positive than negative.

These results are from a Gallup survey conducted Feb. 1-5, about two weeks into Donald Trump’s presidency. The 42% favorable rating is one of the lowest since Gallup began asking this question in 2000 and may be attributable to the election of Trump, whose sometimes controversial statements and actions have rankled several world leaders. However, Americans’ perceptions of the image of the U.S. abroad were marginally worse in 2007, when 40% thought the world viewed the nation favorably. At the time, the U.S. was embroiled in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and President George W. Bush was highly unpopular.