Pew: Image of United States abroad improves under Biden

June 11 (UPI) -- The image of the United States throughout the world has changed significantly since the election of Joe Biden to replace former President Donald Trump, according to a new Pew Research Center survey released Thursday.

Pew Research examination of 16 public surveys found a noteworthy increase in the image of the United States, pointing to the election of Biden and several of his major policy initiatives.

The center said more than 6 in 10 of the publics surveyed said they had confidence in Biden to make the right call in world affairs. In 12 countries, a median of 75% said they had confidence in Biden, compared with 17% who said they had confidence in Trump last year.

Pew Research interviewed 16,254 adults from March 12 to May 26, with margins of error in each country ranging from 3.8% to 4.2%.

"During the past two decades, presidential transitions have had a major impact on overall attitudes toward the United States," Pew Research said. "When Barack Obama took office in 2009, ratings improved in many nations compared with where they had been during George W. Bush's administration, and when Trump entered the White House in 2017, ratings declined sharply.

"This year, U.S. favorability is up again: Whereas a median of just 34% across 12 nations had a favorable overall opinion of the United States last year, a median of 62% now hold this view," Pew Research continued.

In countries where Pew Research surveys consistently -- Britain, France, Germany and Spain -- the ratings for Bush and Trump were similarly low during their presidencies while the improved ratings for Biden are similar to those enjoyed by Obama.