Focus on the BIG picture.
Thursday, Dec 04, 2025
Outside the box.
Majority in Australia, Japan and India See Trump Presidency as Harmful — New Poll Finds
Survey reveals over half in each country believe Donald Trump’s second term damages their national interests
A new poll published on December 3, 2025, reveals that majorities in Australia, Japan and India now view Donald Trump’s presidency as detrimental to their countries.
Among the surveyed, 56 percent of Australians, 59 percent of Japanese and 54 percent of Indians said Trump’s second term has had a negative impact on their nations.
The survey, conducted in August by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, sampled 1,000 adults in each of the four Quad countries — Australia, Japan, India and the United States.
The polling not only measures views of the U.S. president, but captures shifting attitudes toward the U.S.-hosted alliance structures in the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia, only 42 percent of respondents said that the alliance with the United States makes their country more secure — a dramatic drop from previous years and the first time support has fallen below half since the centre began polling in 2022. Japanese support for the alliance also slipped to 47 percent.
Respondents across these countries voiced concern over domestic political violence and misinformation in the United States, with many seeing such instability as a risk factor undermining U.S. foreign policy reliability.
In Australia and India in particular, growing majorities viewed the United States as “harmful” rather than “helpful” for Asia.
Still, the poll found that many citizens are not ready to abandon strategic ties altogether.
In Australia, 57 percent said their nation should remain close to the United States under Trump — even as 40 percent supported distancing.
That indicates a cautious pragmatism: a recognition of strategic dependence despite widespread unease about U.S. leadership.
The findings underscore a broader regional shift in sentiment toward U.S. leadership under Trump.
While alliances remain officially intact, public confidence in American stewardship — especially in Asia — appears shaken.
Governments in Canberra, Tokyo and New Delhi may therefore face increased pressure to manage their relationships with Washington carefully, balancing geopolitical necessity against growing domestic scepticism.
Among the surveyed, 56 percent of Australians, 59 percent of Japanese and 54 percent of Indians said Trump’s second term has had a negative impact on their nations.
The survey, conducted in August by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, sampled 1,000 adults in each of the four Quad countries — Australia, Japan, India and the United States.
The polling not only measures views of the U.S. president, but captures shifting attitudes toward the U.S.-hosted alliance structures in the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia, only 42 percent of respondents said that the alliance with the United States makes their country more secure — a dramatic drop from previous years and the first time support has fallen below half since the centre began polling in 2022. Japanese support for the alliance also slipped to 47 percent.
Respondents across these countries voiced concern over domestic political violence and misinformation in the United States, with many seeing such instability as a risk factor undermining U.S. foreign policy reliability.
In Australia and India in particular, growing majorities viewed the United States as “harmful” rather than “helpful” for Asia.
Still, the poll found that many citizens are not ready to abandon strategic ties altogether.
In Australia, 57 percent said their nation should remain close to the United States under Trump — even as 40 percent supported distancing.
That indicates a cautious pragmatism: a recognition of strategic dependence despite widespread unease about U.S. leadership.
The findings underscore a broader regional shift in sentiment toward U.S. leadership under Trump.
While alliances remain officially intact, public confidence in American stewardship — especially in Asia — appears shaken.
Governments in Canberra, Tokyo and New Delhi may therefore face increased pressure to manage their relationships with Washington carefully, balancing geopolitical necessity against growing domestic scepticism.
