Map Shows Countries That Prefer China to the US

Newsweek

14-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Far more countries hold a favorable view of China than the United States, according to a new report.
The findings, from the polling organization Nira Data's Democracy Perception Index 2025, found that over three-quarters of the nearly 100 nations surveyed had a preferable view of Beijing compared to Washington.
Why It Matters
China has been attempting to capitalize on global opposition to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs that he imposed after returning to the White House. Beijing has worked to deepen ties with America's East Asian allies, while also encouraging the European Union to confront Washington's economic agenda.
Nira Data's report shows that perception of the U.S. around the world has fallen sharply over the past year.
President Donald Trump with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, in 2019.
President Donald Trump with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, in 2019.
Susan Walsh/AP
What To Know
According to Nira Data's report, 76 countries out of 96 surveyed held a more positive view of China, equating to 79 percent.
Beijing was viewed more positively across all continents, enjoying the largest levels of support in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The gap was particularly wide in Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan and Tunisia, where China enjoyed nearly unanimous support.
Exceptions to this trend included Israel, India, South Korea, Japan, Poland, the Philippines and Ukraine, where support was greater for the U.S.
The data was based on nationally representative surveys conducted in April, with an average sample size of around 1,100 respondents per country.
Nira Data's map, based on surveys taken in 96 countries, showing the net perceptions of China versus the U.S.
Nira Data's map, based on surveys taken in 96 countries, showing the net perceptions of China versus the U.S.
Nira Data
Nira Data's latest report revealed a stark change from 2024, when average perceptions of the U.S. were more positive than negative, and significantly better than China and Russia.
Since last year, net positive perceptions of the U.S. have dropped from +20 to -5, only slightly ahead of Russia. Meanwhile, views of China have risen from around +5 to +14.
A total of 55 percent of countries surveyed now have a net negative perception of the U.S., including some of its historic allies such as Canada, Mexico and the majority of E.U. nations.
"China is now the only major power among the three with a net positive image, while the U.S. and Russia are both viewed more negatively than positively," Nira Data's report states.
"The U.S. in particular has seen a sharp decline in its global standing over the past year, while perceptions of China and Russia have steadily improved."
What People Are Saying
Nico Jaspers, CEO at Nira Data, said in a statement: "For the first time, more countries now hold a positive view of China than of the United States — a striking indicator of how public opinion is evolving across different regions and political systems."
Mark Wu, professor of international trade and international economic law at Harvard University, told Newsweek in April that most countries "do not wish to choose between the US and China," and instead "view both as important trade partners and seek to maintain commercial ties to both."
He added: "While they may not like being threatened by the U.S. with higher tariffs, governments are also skeptical about becoming too closely entangled with China."
What Happens Next?
A 90-day pause in the U.S.-China tariff war was announced earlier this week and comes into effect on Wednesday. The deal will lower tariffs on Chinese imports to 30 percent, and those on U.S. goods to 10 percent.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said he expects further meetings between the two nations to take place in the coming weeks, aimed at ironing out "a more fulsome agreement."