He’s only been in office for six months, but this week’s G-20 economic summit is giving President Trump his first real chance to push longtime German Chancellor Angela Merkel aside and become the leader of the free world.
But it’s going to be an uphill fight, according to a new 37-nation survey of who the world wants to lead.
While Trump has the wide support of two huge nations, Russia and India, Merkel is the choice of Europe, Asia and South America, according to Pew Research Center, which explained:
“Across the majority of the G20 nations, people prefer Merkel to Trump on world affairs, according to the survey, which examines attitudes in 37 nations, including in 17 of the 19 members of the G20 (the organization also includes a representative of the European Union). In only two of the G20 countries surveyed – India and Russia – do residents have substantially more confidence in Trump than in Merkel when it comes to world affairs.”
The G20 is taking place in Hamburg, Germany this year. Merkel is the president of the group.
In the United States, more side with Merkel than Trump, driven by overwhelming Democratic support for the German leader.
Said Pew:
“In the United States, more people have confidence in Merkel than in their own leader (56% to 46%). However, there is a sharp partisan divide in the U.S. on this question. Democrats trust Merkel (64% confidence) more than Trump (16%). Republicans, on the other hand, have much more faith in Trump (89%) than the German leader (50%).
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
