U.S. Leadership Approval High in Asia

According to surveys in 32 Asian countries, the approval of U.S. leadership has substantially recovered during the tenure of President Joe Biden. Gallup found that 41 percent of Asians approved of U.S. leadership in 2021, up from just 31 percent in 2020. Biden is currently on a tour of Asia and will meet the leaders of Japan, South Korea and Australia on Tuesday. The grouping is part of a strategy to strengthen U.S. influence in the region as a counter to China.

Only German leadership was regarded slightly higher in Asia. 43 percent of respondents said they approved of it, with 2021 surveys carried about during Angela Merkel's and her successor Olaf Scholz's time in office. Chinese leadership, on the other hand, has seen falling approval recently. Ratings reached a low of just 27 percent last year.

Close U.S. allies in the region, like those in the aforementioned Asian "Quad" group, were among those rating U.S. leadership above average – with ratings of 50 percent and higher – as did respondent from historical ally the Philippines (71 percent). More favorable ratings came out of Taiwan (45 percent), Vietnam (45 percent), New Zealand (48 percent) and Thailand (49 percent). Low ratings came out of Pakistan, Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong.