What Are Americans’ Top Foreign Policy Priorities?
The majority of Americans say preventing terrorism and reducing the flow of illegal drugs into the country are top foreign policy priorities.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
The majority of Americans say preventing terrorism and reducing the flow of illegal drugs into the country are top foreign policy priorities.
58% of Americans see NATO favorably, down 4 points since 2023. Democrats and Republicans are increasingly divided on the alliance and on Ukraine aid.
Americans and Israelis now see one another’s leaders more negatively than in the recent past, and other key views have shifted as well.
Majorities of U.S. adults have favorable views of Ukraine (64%) and NATO (62%). About seven-in-ten Republicans (71%) say the U.S. should pay less attention to problems overseas and focus on concerns at home — up from 65% in 2021.
Americans see China as a growing superpower – and increasingly say it is the world’s leading economy.
Despite the many depressing stories dominating the international news cycle, there is also a note of positivity among survey respondents in views of the UN, the benefits of international cooperation for solving problems and the importance of common values for bringing nations together.
Majorities in most of the 27 places around the world surveyed in 2023 and 2024 say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
As daunting challenges from Russia, China and a flagging global economy ripple across the world, Americans and Germans continue to say that relations between their countries are good. Most Americans and Germans continue to see each other as partners on protecting European security, and publics in each country are willing to support using military action to protect themselves and their allies.
Large shares of Americans support the U.S. taking steps to address global climate change and prioritize renewable energy development in the country. Still, fewer than half are ready to phase out fossil fuels completely and 59% oppose ending the production of gas-powered cars.
Attitudes toward NATO have grown more positive: 67% express a favorable opinion of the organization, up from 61% in 2021.
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