Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Relations between countries are often\ndiscussed through trade, military alliances, or high-level diplomacy.\nHowever, another interesting indicator is how the public of one country\nviews another. A recent Gallup survey conducted in February 2026\nprovides a snapshot of the countries most and least liked by citizens of\nthe United States (US).<\/p>\n
According to Gallup, the survey of 1,001 adult respondents in the US\nshows that Japan has the best image in the eyes of the American public.\nA total of 85% of respondents admitted to having a positive view of\nJapan, while only 9% expressed a negative opinion. Japan\u2019s position even\nsurpassed Canada and the United Kingdom, which have been known as\nWashington\u2019s closest allies for decades.<\/p>\n
Italy followed in second place with a favourability rating of 84%.\nCanada and Denmark each scored 80%, while France, the United Kingdom,\nand Germany were in the 75%-76% range. These seven countries are close\npartners of the US in the economic, security, and strategic cooperation\nfields that have been built over decades.<\/p>\n
Gallup noted an interesting shift in 2026. Canada\u2019s favourability\nrating of 80% was the lowest since the polling organisation began\nkeeping records. The United Kingdom also experienced a similar\ncondition, with its public acceptance level touching a record low.\nMeanwhile, Japan continued to see its image strengthen among the\nAmerican public. In 1995, Japan\u2019s favourability rating was around 65%,\nbut that figure has now jumped to 85%.<\/p>\n
Economic closeness appears to be one of the important factors shaping\npublic perception. Mexico placed eighth with a favourability rating of\n66%, even though the bilateral relationship is often marked by debates\nover immigration and border security. The large scale of trade,\ninvestment, and social interaction between the two countries keeps\nMexico\u2019s image relatively strong in the eyes of the American public.<\/p>\n
Israel emerged as one of the most polarising countries in the survey.\nA total of 46% of respondents held a positive view of Israel, while 48%\nexpressed a negative opinion. This razor-thin margin illustrates how\nMiddle Eastern issues are increasingly dividing US public opinion.<\/p>\n
According to Gallup, 2026 marks the first year in more than two\ndecades that American sympathy for Palestinians has surpassed sympathy\nfor Israelis. Although this indicator differs from the measurement of\nfavourability towards a country, the shift in public opinion provides a\npicture of the dynamics of American views on the ongoing conflict in the\nregion.<\/p>\n
At the bottom of the list, countries with strained relations with\nWashington dominate. China received a favourability rating of 34%, while\n61% of respondents expressed a negative view. Russia recorded an\nacceptance level of just 17%, and Iran and North Korea sat at the very\nbottom, each with a positive rating of only 13%.<\/p>\n
North Korea was the country most disliked by Americans. A total of\n82% of respondents stated they had a negative view of the country. Iran\nand Russia followed, with disapproval ratings reaching 79%. These\nfigures emerged amid various geopolitical issues involving the three\nnations, ranging from nuclear programmes and military conflicts to\nstrategic rivalry with the US.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/revealed-the-countries-americans-like-and-dislike-most-1781448768", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }