In 2026, Australians are … placing low levels of trust in both the United States and China.

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Trust in the United States to act responsibly in the world has fallen to 31%, the lowest level in the history of Lowy Institute polling. This new low represents a five-point drop from last year and a 25-point drop from 2024. By contrast, trust in China to act responsibly in the world has risen eight points since last year to 28%, narrowing the gap with the United States to just three points. In 2022, that gap was 53 points.

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Australians place high levels of trust in liberal democracies and the United Nations. For the sixth year running, Japan is the most trusted power, with 89% of Australians saying they trust Japan to act responsibly in the world. Germany is the next most trusted power (83%), followed by the United Kingdom (81%).

Seven in ten Australians (70%) say the United Nations is either ‘somewhat important’ or ‘very important’ to Australia’s national interests.

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For two of Australia’s key regional partners — Indonesia and India — trust remains steady if moderate. Trust in Indonesia to act responsibly in the world sits at 57%, similar to last year’s result. Australians’ trust in India fell four points from last year to 50%.

Of the countries surveyed, Russia was once again the power least trusted by Australians with only 11% saying they trust Moscow to act responsibly in the world.

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