In his early days back in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump made waves with bold foreign policy decisions. He stirred up controversy by suggesting ideas like taking over Greenland and Gaza, withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), and ending support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
These actions have met mixed reactions from the American public. A recent Pew Research survey showed that many Americans are not on board with these changes. The survey covered 3,605 adults and was conducted just before Trump imposed new trade tariffs.
Here’s what the survey revealed:
Takeover Plans Unpopular
Many people are against Trump’s ideas about Greenland and Gaza. When asked about Greenland, 54% of respondents said the U.S. should not annex the island. Interestingly, 23% believed Trump was likely to follow through with his plans, while 34% thought he wouldn’t.
As for Gaza, 62% opposed Trump’s suggestion to resettle Palestinians elsewhere, with only 15% supporting it. Such proposals violate international law and could even be seen as ethnic cleansing, according to the UN. Many respondents (38%) felt that Trump wouldn’t go through with this plan.
Disapproval of USAID and WHO Withdrawals
Trump’s decision to cut USAID and withdraw from WHO has not won him much support either. The survey showed more people disapprove than approve of these actions:
- 45% oppose ending USAID programs (35% approve).
- 46% oppose leaving the Paris Agreement on climate change (32% approve).
- 52% disapprove of leaving the WHO (32% approve).
Perception of Favoring Russia
Trump’s approach to Russia also raised eyebrows. At the start of his second term, he expressed a desire to cooperate closely with President Vladimir Putin regarding the situation in Ukraine. However, 43% of survey respondents felt he favored Russia too much, compared to 31% who thought he was striking a fair balance. Recently, Trump himself has felt frustrated with Putin’s actions in Ukraine, indicating a potential shift in his stance.
Polarization in Political Views
The survey results highlighted a divide between political parties. While 64% of Republicans supported ending USAID, only 9% of Democrats felt the same. Older adults tended to back Trump’s foreign policy decisions more than younger ones did.
The survey also touched on Trump’s tariffs against China, indicating that while many Americans anticipated personal loss from these tariffs, Republicans were more likely to believe they would benefit the country.
In a world of swift political changes and strong opinions, Trump’s foreign policy refreshes discussions on the U.S.’s role globally. Recent events show us how complex and varied public sentiment can be, especially when political lines are drawn so distinctly.