News In Brief

Obama more popular abroad than at home

Daryl Paranada Jun 17, 2010

A new survey from The Pew Research Center shows that President Barack Obama is much more popular abroad than he is in the U.S., which is benefiting the global image of the U.S.

For its latest Global Attitudes Survey, the center sampled attitudes from 22 countries on Obama and the United States. Results show that 90 percent of Germans, 87 percent of French, and 84 percent of the British have confidence that Obama will do the right thing in world affairs. That compares to 65 percent in the U.S.

A table of U.S. favorability ratings can be seen below:

From the Global Attitudes Survey:

U.S. favorability ratings remain high in Western Europe and have increased markedly in China and Russia. But opinions remain negative in many Muslim nations. Mexican views of the U.S. tumbled following passage of Arizona’s immigration law. Confidence in Obama is high across much of the world, but support for his handling of specific policies is less widespread.

With the exception of China, India and Brazil, people nearly everywhere say their national economy is doing poorly.

Of the 22 countries surveyed, 63 percent of people expressed confidence in Obama and 58 percent expressed overall approval of his international policies.

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