Introduction
A recent Gallup poll offers a snapshot of how Americans view countries around the world amid a period of shifting alliances, trade disputes, and diplomatic flashpoints. Conducted in early February 2026, the survey asked 1,001 U.S. adults to rate their overall impression of 21 nations. The results show Egypt maintaining a modestly favorable standing, while traditional allies such as Canada and the United Kingdom slipped in the rankings, and Asian powers Japan and Italy rose to the top.
Survey Methodology and Context
Gallup, an employee‑owned analytics and consulting firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., fielded the poll from February 2 to February 16, 2026. The sample consisted of 1,001 adults living in the United States, selected through random‑digit dialing and weighted to match national demographics on age, gender, education, race, and region. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points at the 95 % confidence level.
The timing of the survey placed it amid several notable international developments:
- The U.S. House of Representatives impeached former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3.
- The World Economic Forum convened in Davos from January 19‑23.
- The poll preceded reported U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
- Relations between Washington and Pretoria were strained over South Africa’s land reform policies, its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and the Trump administration’s refugee admissions for white South Africans.
Key Finding: Egypt’s Rating
Egypt received a 59 % positive rating, placing it 11th out of the 21 countries evaluated. This level of favorability aligns with the view held by a majority of Americans surveyed and reflects the country’s long‑standing strategic partnership with the United States.
Several factors underlie this rating:
- Diplomatic and security cooperation: Egypt has been a recipient of U.S. foreign military financing for decades and participates in joint counter‑terrorism initiatives in the Sinai Peninsula.
- Suez Canal significance: Control of one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints gives Egypt outsized influence over global trade flows, a point frequently highlighted in U.S. defense and commerce assessments.
- Regional mediation role: Cairo often serves as a broker in Arab‑Israeli peace initiatives and in negotiations involving Libya and Sudan, reinforcing its reputation as a stabilizing actor.
Despite occasional friction—such as disagreements over human rights practices and regional arms sales—the overall sentiment remains broadly positive.
Overall Ranking Overview
The top of the list was dominated by two Asian economies:
- Japan – 85 % positive
- Italy – 84 % positive
- Canada and Denmark – 80 % each
- France and the United Kingdom – 76 % each
- Germany – 75 %
Further down the rankings:
- Mexico – 66 %
- Ukraine – 63 %
- India – 61 %
- Egypt – 59 %
At the bottom, nations viewed unfavorably included:
- North Korea – 13 %
- Iran – 13 %
- Russia – 17 %
- Iraq – 21 %
Gallup noted that Japan and Italy’s ascent displaced several Western allies that have historically occupied the top spots, suggesting a shift in American public perception toward nations perceived as stable, technologically advanced, and culturally resonant.
Declining Views of Traditional Allies
While Canada and the United Kingdom remained generally popular, their positive scores showed noticeable declines:
- Canada fell from 89 % (in the prior year’s survey) to 80 %, a nine‑point drop.
- The United Kingdom slipped from 84 % to 76 %, an eight‑point decrease and a record low for the country in Gallup’s tracking.
The primary driver of this decline was a shift among Republican respondents:
- Canada’s rating among Republicans dropped from 85 % to 62 %.
- The United Kingdom’s rating among Republicans fell from 84 % to 64 %.
Gallup analysts attributed the change to ongoing disputes over trade tariffs, debates about NATO burden‑sharing, discussions regarding Greenland’s status, and public comments by former President Donald Trump suggesting that Canada could become the “51st state.” Such rhetoric appears to have resonated with a segment of the GOP base, lowering overall favorability.
China’s Improving Rating
In contrast to the downward trend for some long‑time partners, China’s favorability rose markedly:
- Positive rating increased to 34 % in 2026, more than double the historic low of 15 % recorded in 2023.
Gallup’s breakdown shows the improvement stemmed from more positive assessments among Democrats and political independents, while Republican views of China remained comparatively lukewarm. The uptick may reflect evolving attitudes toward trade engagement, climate cooperation, and cultural exchanges, even as strategic competition persists.
Omissions and Geopolitical Tensions
Three major African nations—Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya—were absent from the list of 21 countries rated, despite their deep economic, diplomatic, and security ties with the United States. Gallup did not provide an explicit rationale for their exclusion.
Nevertheless, the broader context highlights ongoing points of friction:
- Nigeria: Concerns over sectarian violence, the effectiveness of security cooperation, and questions about sovereignty have periodically strained the bilateral relationship.
- South Africa: Disagreements over land reform, Pretoria’s case against Israel at the ICJ, and the U.S. refugee policy for white South Africans have created diplomatic tension.
- Kenya: A five‑year health cooperation agreement signed in December 2025 faced a judicial stay by the Kenyan Supreme Court over worries about health data privacy, public participation, parliamentary oversight, and fiscal sustainability.
Despite these challenges, all three countries continue to engage extensively with the United States on trade, investment, peacekeeping, and counter‑terrorism initiatives.
