During Joe Biden’s presidency, as well as during Donald Trump’s first term, there was a much weaker relationship between views of the U.S. and confidence in its president.
Canadians and Mexicans also now view Chinese President Xi Jinping more positively than Trump, even as relatively few people in both countries have confidence in the two leaders.
In 16 middle-income countries surveyed, many people are unsure how U.S. humanitarian aid cuts will affect them, though those with opinions lean negative.
U.S. foreign aid fell to its lowest inflation-adjusted level in over two decades in fiscal 2025, dropping to $47.3 billion — more than $24 billion less than the prior year.
Fossil fuels still dominate global electricity, but wind and solar are surging. In 2025, renewables outpaced coal worldwide for the first time, supplying 34% of electricity.