In 2026, 89% of Australians trust Japan to act responsibly in the world, making it the most trusted power six years running.

Australians are wary of the two superpowers, placing low levels of trust in both the United States and China. Australians’ trust in the United States to act responsibly in the world has fallen to 31%, the lowest level ever recorded in the Lowy Institute Poll. By contrast, trust in China has risen eight points from last year to 28%, narrowing the gap with the United States to just three points. That gap was 53 points in 2022.

Australians remain trusting of liberal democracies. For the sixth year running, Japan is the most trusted power, with 89% of Australians saying they trust Japan to act responsibly in the world. Germany has emerged as the next most trusted power (83%), followed by the United Kingdom at 81%. Trust in Indonesia (57%) and India (50%) remains moderate.