Fast facts about how Americans and Germans see security issues amid Trump’s plan to reduce troop levels
Americans are much more likely than Germans to see U.S. bases in Germany as important for their country’s national security.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Americans are much more likely than Germans to see U.S. bases in Germany as important for their country’s national security.
Globally, people tend to express little confidence in President Vladimir Putin’s ability to do the right thing regarding world affairs.
Political divides on both sides of the Atlantic continue to shape attitudes about relations with other nations, perceptions about defense spending and Americans’ and Germans’ views of each other.
The U.S. stands out to many around the world as the country their nation can rely on most. But substantial shares in some countries see it as their greatest threat.
Asked in spring 2019 which country or group poses the greatest threat to their country in the future, just 6% of Americans named Iran.
The U.S. receives more positive marks than China in 21 countries surveyed, while China fares better than the U.S. in seven countries.
Unfavorable opinion of China in the U.S. is at its highest level in 14 years of polling. Americans also increasingly see China as a threat, and more than half see friction in the current bilateral economic relationship.
President Trump and his policies continue to receive negative reviews from people worldwide, with a lack of confidence in his leadership especially common in Western Europe. While views of the U.S. are positive overall, they vary widely among some of its key allies.
Fewer adults have confidence in Joe Biden to handle the U.S.-China relationship than other foreign policy issues.
Views of the U.S. are favorable across many of the 33 countries we surveyed in 2019, although confidence in U.S. President Donald Trump is low.
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