# America Must Win Back Its Global Standing

> Americans want their country to lead globally through cooperation, not isolation, but the world is losing faith in U.S. leadership.
- Title: America Must Win Back Its Global Standing · TIME | Shortify
- Summary: Americans want their country to lead globally through cooperation, not isolation, but the world is losing faith in U.S. leadership. Most Americans support…
- Keywords: united states, united nations, donald trump, global leadership, international cooperation, soft power, american public opinion, multilateralism, global stability, rockefeller foundation poll, America, Must
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/09/23/america-united-nations-trump-global-leadership
- Author: Gordon Brown
- Published: 2026-09-23T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: united states, united nations, donald trump, global leadership, international cooperation, soft power, american public opinion, multilateralism, global stability, rockefeller foundation poll
## Trump's America First doctrine
President Trump has spent his terms attacking the UN as an unelected bureaucracy and promoting nationalist policies that reject global cooperation.

> From this moment on, it's going to be America First.
## Americans want global cooperation
A 2026 Rockefeller Foundation poll found 65% of Americans support international cooperation to solve global challenges, up from 61% the year before.
## Trust in the UN is rising
Despite Trump's attacks, 62% of Americans trust the UN, up eight points from last year, and 46% support it playing a leading global role.
## War prevention tops global concerns
When asked to rank 13 global issues, 40% of American respondents listed preventing wars and conflicts as their most pressing concern.
## World loses faith in America
Only 39% of people worldwide are comfortable with the U.S. leading globally, down sharply from previous years, while 34% view America as a major threat.
## Other nations rank higher
Canada tops global preferences for leadership at 60%, followed by Japan, Australia, and the UK. America ranks in the bottom half despite its economic and military power.
## American soft power is fading
Only 15% of people globally now prefer to live in America, down from 24% in 2009, signaling a dramatic decline in the country's appeal.
## Americans still believe in shared values
Despite challenges, 76% of Americans believe a better future is possible, and 64% say they share responsibility to help others globally.
## America can reclaim its leadership
The U.S. retains the values and optimism needed to restore global trust, but must actively demonstrate commitment to cooperation over isolation.
## Key takeaway

Most Americans support international cooperation and multilateral institutions, yet global trust in U.S. leadership has collapsed, threatening America's soft power.