American Public Support for Global Cooperation Surges, Polls Show

A significant majority of Americans now favor international cooperation and express trust in global institutions, a sentiment that contrasts with recent political rhetoric and marks a notable increase in public support for multilateralism. A global poll commissioned by The Rockefeller Foundation in September 2025 found that 61% of American respondents agreed that the U.S. should work with other nations to address global challenges, even if it requires compromising on some national interests. This support further rose to 65% by 2026, with opposition falling to 14%.

The findings suggest a public sentiment that diverges from an "America First" approach, with 62% of Americans now trusting the United Nations—an eight-point increase from the previous year—while only 30% express distrust. Nearly half of American respondents, 46%, are comfortable with the UN playing a leading role on the world stage, compared to 21% who are uncomfortable.

This growing inclination towards international engagement appears linked to concerns about global stability. In the 2026 Rockefeller Foundation poll, 40% of American respondents identified preventing wars and conflicts as a top priority. This indicates a desire for the U.S. to engage in consensus-building rather than unilateral action in an increasingly multipolar world.

An initiative involving 100 former prime ministers and presidents from around the globe has called for stronger international cooperation. On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, many of these leaders endorsed core principles aimed at fostering a new global consensus. According to the poll, 53% of American respondents would support their president publicly endorsing these cooperative principles.

However, the poll also reveals a decline in America's global appeal. While American support for cooperation is high, only 39% of respondents worldwide are comfortable with the U.S. playing a leading role, and 34% view the U.S. as a major threat, a figure surpassed only by Russia (42%). Countries like Canada, Japan, Australia, and several European nations were viewed more favorably by global respondents as potential leaders, despite their lesser economic and military power.

America's soft power appears to have diminished, with the percentage of people globally naming the U.S. as their preferred country to live in dropping from 24% in 2009 to 15% in 2025, according to Gallup data. Despite these challenges, the poll indicates that Americans remain optimistic and committed to helping others. A majority (55%) believe their communities would pull together during a crisis, 64% feel a responsibility to help those in other countries, and 76% believe a better future is possible for the next generation. These values, the report suggests, provide a foundation for America to reassert its global leadership.