Trump no match for Merkel in G-20 nations, survey says
Residents of the G-20 nations whose leaders are meeting in Germany this week have more confidence in German Chancellor Angela Merkel than in President Trump to successfully conduct world affairs, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.
India and Russia were the only G20 countries surveyed to have substantially more confidence in Trump. The survey, conducted in February and March, did not include two G-20 countries, China and Saudi Arabia.
Russia and Israel were the only countries in the survey where opinions of Trump were higher than they were for Barack Obama at the end of this presidency. Even in the United States, more people have confidence in Merkel than Trump, 56% to 46%.
"When it comes to two of the key issues that will be discussed at the G-20 summit — trade and climate change — most people in G-20 member countries take a dim view of Trump’s policy proposals," the center said.
The survey was taken before Trump's formal decision to remove the U.S. from the Paris climate accord. But the decision was expected, and 93% of Germans surveyed said they disapproved. There was also strong disapproval across Western Europe, East Asia and Latin America.
Two-thirds of Americans said they disapproved leaving the agreement, although the position sharply divided Democrats (88% disapproved) and Republicans (34%).
Pew said its surveys typically include from 700 to 1,500 interviews per country, with 1,000 interviews the most common sample size.
The Group of 20 is made up of 19 countries, plus the European Union has its own representative. The meeting, held annually since 2008, draws the heads of state and government to address issues relating to world economic growth, international trade and the regulation of financial markets.
This year's two-day event opens Friday in Hamburg. North Korea's missile tests are expected to dominate much of the event, but free trade, climate change and information sharing are among a wide range of other issues.