Global approval of U.S. leadership has rebounded from the end of Trump's presidency

In what's sure to be welcome news for President Biden and his administration, global approval ratings of U.S. leadership have, six months into his tenure, "largely rebounded from the record-low ratings observed during the Trump administration," writes Gallup, according to a new report.
As of early August 2021, median approval of U.S. leadership reached 49 percent across 46 countries and territories — up 19 percent from the 30 percent median approval rating at the end of former President Donald Trump's administration, per Gallup. The 49 percent rating also matches that of former President Barack Obama's first year in office in 2009.
Important to note, however, is that while the median global approval "compares favorably" with ratings under Obama, the Biden administration's current 36 percent median disapproval rating is higher than any of those observed under the 44th president, notes Gallup. Nonetheless, disapproval under Biden is still "seven percentage points lower than the final disapproval rating under Trump -- a record-high 44%," writes Gallup.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While Gallup notes the president's global approval ratings might change as time goes on — especially following the much-criticized U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan toward the end of August — "the substantial gains across so many countries halfway through 2021 make it unlikely that the final rating for Biden's first year in office could retreat to his predecessor's levels."
For 2020 ratings, Gallup surveyed nationally representative samples among adult populations in 108-109 countries throughout the year. Results have a margin of error of 1.1 to 5.5 percentage points. For 2021, ratings, Gallup surveyed nationally representative samples among adult populations in 46 countries and areas between April and August of 2021. Results have a margin of error of 2.8 to 5.0 percentage points. See more results at Gallup.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
How successful would Elon Musk's third party be?
Today's Big Question Musk has vowed to start a third party after falling out with Trump
-
Music reviews: Bruce Springsteen and Benson Boone
Feature "Tracks II: The Lost Albums" and "American Heart"
-
Why passkeys are the next frontier in digital security
A disruptive new technology promises to put passwords to bed forever — but not yet
-
How successful would Elon Musk's third party be?
Today's Big Question Musk has vowed to start a third party after falling out with Trump
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
How would the Trump administration denaturalize immigrant citizens?
Today's Big Question Using civil courts lowers the burden of proof
-
'Trucking is a dangerous business'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities
-
Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day
Speed Read The US Agency for International Development, a humanitarian organization, has been gutted by the Trump administration
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't