Know the New America & Beyond: January 2026
American foreign policy under President Donald Trump has never been predictable. But only three weeks into the new year, the U.S. has made a series of major moves that have disrupted adversaries and allies alike around the world.
Most Americans aren’t enjoying the ride: Trump’s approval on foreign policy sits at just 34%. But nevertheless, his overall approval rating remains stable, held afloat by steady and consistent support from his base.
Still, there are signs of stress along protectionist and isolationist lines. A Reuters/Ipsos poll about Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s arrest resulted in a familiar partisan split, with Republicans approving and Democrats disapproving. But majorities from both parties said they’re worried the U.S. will now become too involved in Venezuela, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll. And only 17% approve of U.S. efforts to acquire Greenland, as well as only 40% of Republicans.
As these seismic actions shake the global order, how do Americans feel about their place in the world? A new NPR/Ipsos survey shows that the number of Americans who believe the nation is the world’s moral leader has dropped 21 percentage points in the last decade, falling from 60% in 2017 to 39% today. Meanwhile, a majority of Americans (57%) believe China has been gaining influence in the last five years – with agreement across party lines.
Thank you for reading — please contact us to help you navigate this uncertain environment.
Read on to discover the latest insights on America from Ipsos.
Americans don’t support the U.S. taking over Greenland
Just 17% of Americans approve of U.S. efforts to acquire Greenland, and an overwhelming majority of Americans (84%) say the U.S. should follow international laws and treaties in pursuing its interests around the world, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
- A plurality of Americans (44%) say the U.S. does not have a responsibility to support anti-government protesters in Iran - Read more
- 72% of Americans are concerned about the U.S. getting too involved in Venezuela - Read more
Most Americans say U.S. should be world's moral leader; far fewer say it is
A significant gap has emerged between Americans' aspirations to lead the world and where Americans think they stand, according to a new NPR/Ipsos poll. While 61% of Americans agree the U.S. should be the moral leader of the world, only 39% believe it actually is. That’s a significant decline from a poll that asked the same question in 2017.
- Majorities of Americans believe the nation’s surging immigration crackdown has gone too far, and immigration agents’ killing of a woman in Minnesota was an excessive use of force - Read more
What it means to be an American brand
The story of how consumers relate to American brands these days has lessons for all of us, whether based in the U.S. or not. Chris Murphy, Ipsos North America’s Chief Strategy Officer, shared fresh Ipsos data on how consumers abroad are reacting to brands that may be associated with America – and implications from the study for brand leaders.
- These are the American food habits that have changed, and haven’t, since the Trump Administration launched its push to Make America Healthy Again - Read more
Trump’s approval remains low but stable in the U.S.
President Trump’s approval rating has remained steady for more than half a year now, sitting at 41% despite the controversies at home and abroad. America’s deeply polarized society means presidential approval ratings are characterized by a high floor and low ceiling. Trump is kept afloat by a remarkably loyal base, but with equally fervent opposition, his rating doesn’t move much - Read more
U.S. consumer confidence rebounds after late-2025 drop
Americans’ confidence in the economy leapt up to begin 2026, nearly matching where it was this time last year. Nevertheless, there remain some troubling signals in the U.S. economy, including that one in three Americans (32%) spent more than they intended over the holidays. That’s nearly double the number who said the same last year (18%) - Read more
What the rest of the world thinks
The view from Germany
A year into Trump's second term, German elites recognize that the world has drastically changed. German politicians are increasingly concerned about the intentions of the Trump administration. They question whether the U.S. is still a partner or has become a hostile force.
Should Germany pursue unilateral relations with the U.S. to safeguard economic interests, or should it push for deeper European integration to leverage the vast internal market and enhance defensive capabilities? Could Europe with German leadership be able to go it alone and become a fourth superpower?
The truth likely lies in a balanced strategy. Currently, German politics appear reactive to the pace of change, with many speculating on future moves, including the U.S. ambitions in Venezuela, possible intervention in Cuba and Iran, or even the worst-case scenario annexation of Greenland.
Dr. Robert Grimm, Director, Public Affairs Germany, Ipsos
Italy
- Trump's America is no longer seen as a trusted partner, while Russia continues to pose a serious threat
- Italians consider Trump the most influential figure in international politics
France
- Nearly eight out of 10 French people say they are worried about Donald Trump's threats against Greenland
- Trump is by far the stand-out personality for the French
Canada
Norway
United Kingdom
30 countries around the world
- 21% of people around the world think Donald Trump will win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026
- The cost of living is the main worry for Americans. People in India, Türkiye, Japan, Singapore and Australia also have inflation as their No. 1 concern
And finally, other Ipsos global reports this month
- Our Life with AI: For the past three years, Google has conducted the “Our Life with AI” study with Ipsos to measure how people in 21 countries around the world use AI. Our most recent survey found something fascinating: for the first time, the top motivation for using AI is learning.
- C-Suite Guide to Sustainable Growth: CMO-CSO Playbook: Senior leaders are under pressure to deliver growth and prove impact. The CMO-CSO Sustainability Playbook shows how to do both. Produced by the Institute for Real Growth (IRG) with Ipsos, Ad Net Zero and Google, it translates sustainability commitments into competitive advantage.
- From Noise to Noteworthy: Memorable attention is vital not just for prompting immediate consumer action, but also for fostering long-term brand growth. For advertisers keen to adapt to the complex media landscape, this paper offers a roadmap for turning fleeting impressions into lasting ones that drive powerful audience engagement.
- Ipsos Update: Our first round-up of the year features a new report on the future of family life, state of the nation analysis from our Brazil team, and our regular poll digest from around the world. We also take look at the international public’s predictions for 2026. We continue to find optimism at the prospect of a new year, even if the mood is more muted than it was before the pandemic.
