Americans favour China more than Russia, but both near bottom of G20: Pew report
- Americans give China a lukewarm 37/100; Russia gets a frosty 27/100 in Pew's latest 'feeling thermometer' ratings.
- Canada, Australia, Japan, and Italy bask in the high 60s, proving proximity and shared borders beat geopolitical rivalry.
- 51% of Americans hold a 'very cold' view of Russia, making it the undisputed champion of international unpopularity.
- Views of China have warmed since 2021 (from 28 to 37), likely thanks to Xi's charm offensive and AI trust vibes.
- Partisanship strikes again: Democrats rate almost everyone warmer than Republicans except, presumably, their own mirror images.
Brief Summary
As the world's leaders gear up for the G20 circus in Miami, Pew Research has dropped a fresh 'feeling thermometer' report that quantifies just how much Americans loathe our global 'partners.' China scrapes by with a 37 out of 100, while Russia freezes at 27, with a majority of respondents giving Moscow the polar bear cold shoulder. It's not exactly a lovefest for the other BRICS either—Indonesia, Argentina, and Turkey hover in the mid-40s, which is basically room temperature for international relations. Canada remains the golden retriever of nations, scoring 67 despite Trump's tariff tantrums, though even that bond is fraying with older Republicans. The only real surprise is that Xi Jinping's numbers have crept up since 2021, suggesting either Americans are warming to authoritarianism or they just really appreciate a good AI regulator. Either way, the G20 summit in Miami is shaping up to be a cheerful reunion where everyone pretends these numbers don't exist.
Why This Matters
For the average American, this poll is less about foreign policy and more about confirming your gut instinct that nobody likes anyone anymore. If you're planning to travel, work, or invest abroad, these ratings matter: they signal where diplomatic frostbite might freeze trade deals or tourism dollars. Russia's deep-freeze status means sanctions and tensions aren't going anywhere, while China's slight thaw could mean more economic overtures despite the political chill. Plus, with Xi expected at the Miami summit, a fourth Trump-Xi meeting could be the geopolitical equivalent of a therapy session—awkward, public, and unlikely to solve anything. For the rest of us, it's a reminder that your personal feelings about other countries are probably as irrational as these poll numbers, but at least Pew is paying for the research.