Koreans’ favorability toward the U.S. has fallen to a record low under the Trump administration, according to a Pew Research Center survey of 1,045 Korean adults. Fifty-five percent viewed the U.S. unfavorably and 45 percent favorably, while 57 percent still called it a reliable partner. Experts and respondents linked the shift to Trump’s tariff and alliance policies, though 84 percent still named the U.S. as Korea’s most important ally.
U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the stage after speaking at a campaign rally with U.S. Sen. Darline Graham in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Aug. 21. AFP-Yonhap
Koreans are increasingly viewing the U.S. unfavorably, with less trust as a partner than before, according to a recent survey released by Washington-headquartered Pew Research Center.
Experts and Korean citizens say the unfavorable sentiment was driven largely by the Donald Trump administration’s unilateral policies that often put more importance on transactions rather than alliances with trade and security partners.
The survey showed 55 percent of Koreans expressed unfavorable views of the U.S. during the survey period from Feb. 8 to May 13, including 18 percent who held very unfavorable views. It was 16 percentage points up from the 2025 figure.
