Koreans are increasingly viewing the U.S. unfavorably, with distrust as a partner rising under the Trump administration. A Pew Research Center survey found 55 percent held unfavorable views, up 16 points from 2025, while 45 percent held favorable views. It was the first time unfavorable views became the majority. Experts and some citizens blamed Trump-era tariff pressure, alliance strains, and anti-immigration sentiment.
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 seeing 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.
