Perceptions of Trump’s Relationship with Russia: In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has made several high-profile and controversial decisions regarding U.S. foreign policy, which have sparked significant public debate. Among these decisions, Trump threatened to annex Greenland, proposed an American takeover of Gaza, initiated the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement, and announced plans to reduce the operations of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a key agency involved in foreign aid. These actions, while aligning with Trump’s “America First” agenda, have not been universally embraced by the American public. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, Americans hold mixed views on these foreign policy initiatives.
The Pew survey, conducted in late March 2025 with 3,605 adult respondents, provides some key insights into how Americans perceive Trump’s foreign policy decisions. These findings reveal a deep divide in public opinion, shaped largely by political affiliation and generational differences.
One of Trump’s most provocative foreign policy proposals has been his repeated assertion that the U.S. should seek to annex Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark. This idea, which gained attention during Trump’s first term and resurfaced with renewed rhetoric in recent months, has sparked considerable opposition among Americans. According to the Pew survey, 54% of Americans oppose the idea of annexing Greenland. Only 15% expressed support for the plan, while the remaining respondents were unsure or indifferent.
Similarly, Trump has proposed controversial plans for Gaza, suggesting a takeover of the region and the resettlement of Palestinians in neighboring countries with no right of return. This plan, widely condemned as a violation of international law and human rights, faced overwhelming opposition, with 62% of Americans rejecting the proposal. Just 15% of those surveyed supported the idea, and a significant portion (38%) believed it was highly unlikely that Trump would move forward with such a policy. These figures reflect the broader skepticism surrounding Trump’s more unilateral and aggressive foreign policy strategies.
Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO) has been another point of contention. These actions, which were part of Trump’s broader “America First” approach, have drawn substantial criticism both domestically and internationally. The Pew survey found that 52% of Americans disapproved of leaving the WHO, while 46% were opposed to exiting the Paris Agreement on climate change. In contrast, only 32% of Americans supported these moves. The disapproval was even more pronounced regarding the reduction in USAID operations, with 45% of respondents expressing negative views toward the ending of USAID programs, compared to 35% who supported the cuts.
Despite this, a significant portion of the population still backs Trump’s approach. Republicans, in particular, strongly favor his actions. Among Republican-leaning respondents, 64% supported the reduction of USAID programs, while only 9% of Democrats or Democratic-leaning respondents expressed similar views. This sharp partisan divide underscores the extent to which foreign policy decisions are influenced by political affiliation, with Republicans generally more inclined to support Trump’s moves, while Democrats and independents tend to oppose them.
Trump’s foreign policy has also sparked concern regarding his relationship with Russia. While Trump initially expressed an eagerness to work closely with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, many Americans have raised concerns that Trump’s approach favors Russia too much. According to the Pew survey, 43% of Americans believe Trump is too favorable toward Russia, while 31% think he is striking an appropriate balance between the U.S. and Russia. Trump’s critics have pointed to his past praise of Putin and his reluctance to directly confront Russian interference in U.S. elections as evidence of this favoritism.
Since the survey, however, Trump’s tone toward Russia has shifted, with reports indicating that he has grown frustrated with Putin’s handling of the Ukraine conflict. This change in attitude may reflect growing domestic pressure, particularly as the war in Ukraine continues to evolve. Nevertheless, the initial findings suggest that Trump’s foreign policy toward Russia remains controversial, particularly among those who believe he has been too lenient with the Russian government.
Trump’s approach to the Middle East, particularly his relationship with Israel, has also drawn scrutiny. As president, Trump was known for his close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and this relationship has only deepened in recent months. In the Pew survey, 31% of Americans felt that Trump favored Israel too much, while 29% believed he was striking a fair balance between Israelis and Palestinians. However, a significant portion of respondents (37%) were uncertain or did not have an opinion on the matter. Only 3% of those surveyed felt that Trump was giving too much support to the Palestinian cause.
This perception of favoritism toward Israel has led to criticism from those who believe that Trump’s policies have tilted the U.S. too far in favor of one side in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, undermining efforts to achieve a balanced and lasting peace agreement. Nonetheless, Trump’s supporters continue to praise his strong support for Israel, viewing it as an important element of his foreign policy.
The Pew survey also highlights significant generational and partisan divides in Americans’ views on Trump’s foreign policies. Older adults were more likely to support Trump’s decisions, including the cuts to USAID and the withdrawal from international agreements, while younger Americans were more skeptical. This generational gap reflects broader differences in attitudes toward global cooperation, climate change, and international diplomacy.
The partisan divide is even more pronounced, with Republicans overwhelmingly supporting Trump’s foreign policies, while Democrats and independents express strong disapproval. This polarization is evident in nearly every aspect of the survey, from Trump’s stance on international agreements to his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For many Americans, Trump’s foreign policy decisions have become a partisan litmus test, further deepening the divide between the political left and right.
In conclusion, while Donald Trump’s foreign policy actions have garnered support from a significant portion of the American public, especially among Republicans and older adults, there is a notable amount of opposition, particularly from Democrats, younger generations, and those concerned with human rights and international law. His proposals to annex Greenland, take over Gaza, and withdraw from key international organizations have raised significant concerns, and his relationship with Russia and Israel remains contentious. As Trump’s second term continues, these issues will likely remain central to the debate over his foreign policy legacy. With a polarized electorate and deep divisions on global issues, Trump’s foreign policies will continue to be a point of contention both within the U.S. and on the international stage.
