BY SASHA ANELE

According to the latest Pew Research Center’s survey about U.S. perception throughout the world, the country’s image has improved dramatically since Joe Biden became president.

The report, released Thursday, reads: “The election of Joe Biden as president has led to a dramatic shift in America’s international image. Throughout Donald Trump’s presidency, the public around the world held the United States in low regard, with most opposed to his foreign policies.”

Sixteen countries were included in the survey with 75 % having expressed their general confidence in President Joe Biden to steer the country in the right direction when it comes to international relations and dynamics. The heightened confidence in the current president is illustrated in the full report and displays the wide gap where only 17% had expressed general confidence in former President Trump during his final year in office.

The general consensus among countries is that President Joe Biden is the right leader to steer the country onto a positive path. 65% of the people included in the survey in France said that they are optimistic that the US is turning in an upward direction compared to the 31% recorded during the Trump administration. It is reported that Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and The Netherlands recorded a 25% increase bracket of confidence in the current United States president. South Korea, Sweden, Spain, Australia, Greece and Britain were also recorded in the positive response category compared to the survey conducted during former president Trump’s tenure.

In terms of fixing compromised relationships and partnerships, according to the Pew report, 89% of those surveyed across the board have approved of President Joe Biden’s move to rejoin the World Health Organization, and 85% applauded him for re-joining the Paris climate agreement.

Foreign relations with the U.S. have also seen a positive turn in expectation with 67% across the board having voted the United States as very or relatively reliable with expectations for relations with the country not to change. 39% however voted that there is room to improve relations. 67% said the United States is “very” or “relatively” reliable in terms of relations. 57% said they hope the relations with the country will remain the same while 39% said they anticipate an improvement in relations. 

When it comes to the general attitude towards democracy in the United States, 17% stated it displays a ”good example” for other countries to imitate while 57% said the United States used to lead by example, but no longer does. 23% say they never regarded the USA as an example of democracy.

Voiced concerns from Japan, Germany and Greece are however that Joe Biden appears to only have the interest of the United States when it comes to foreign policy and world affairs. This perception is not only emerging now with the new presidency but has been one that dates back before Trump’s administration.

Low ratings regarding the United States in the survey were also attributed to the poor strategy implementation regarding the global pandemic. The perception has shifted seeing that President Joe Biden had to put in place fire-fighting strategies and plans when he took over.

According to the report, the high confidence levels in President Joe Biden are also attributed to positive perceptions of his characteristics. In an assessment between the first months of each president’s role, 77% describe Joe Biden to have qualifications that are expected of a president compared to Donald Trump. Only 16% thought of Trump as having the qualifications characteristic of an esteemed and capable president.

The list of countries that participated in the survey is; Australia, Belgium, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Greece, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, New Zealand, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, and Sweden.