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.
Most in advanced economies say voting, taking steps to reduce climate change and getting a COVID-19 vaccine are ways to be a good member of society; fewer say this about attending religious services.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most think social media has made it easier to manipulate and divide people, but they also say it informs and raises awareness.
The spread of infectious diseases is the top concern in the U.S., UK, Japan and South Korea as global economic concerns grow.
Fewer adults have confidence in Joe Biden to handle the U.S.-China relationship than other foreign policy issues.
The United Nations is broadly credited with promoting peace and human rights as younger adults are more supportive of cooperation with other countries.
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