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.
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.
Many U.S. adults describe cyberattacks from other countries (71%) and the spread of misinformation online (70%) as major threats to the U.S.
85% of Americans and 77% of Germans see the relationship between their countries as good. A majority of Americans see Germany as a partner on key issues, including dealing with China and the war in Ukraine. But Germans are less confident about partnering with the United States on China policy.
There is minimal praise from other societies for how the United States and China are handling climate change.
Citizens offer mixed reviews of how their societies have responded to climate change, and many question the efficacy of international efforts to stave off a global environmental crisis.
Across 34 nations polled, a 43% median have confidence in Biden’s handling of world affairs, while a 28% median have confidence in Trump.
Focus groups with young adults in France, Germany and the United Kingdom revealed that these young people see the U.S. as the “world’s policeman” with a self-interested history of interventionism, while China is labeled the “world’s factory,” respected for its economic dominance but criticized for its expansionism and human rights violations.
Americans’ views on foreign policy priorities differ based on a number of factors, including their attitudes toward international engagement.
Differences within each party on views of foreign policy emerge based on where Americans turn for political news.
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