Australia’s shifting trust in US/China, declining multiculturalism support, and geopolitical concerns
Consensus Summary
Australia’s 2026 Lowy Institute poll reveals a historic shift in public sentiment, with trust in the US plunging to 31%—a record low—while trust in China rose to 28%, nearly closing the gap. Both superpowers now face equal distrust, reflecting broader unease over global instability, economic pessimism, and geopolitical uncertainty. Despite deep skepticism toward US President Donald Trump (21% trust) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (20% trust), 73% of Australians still value the US alliance, though support has slipped from 83% in 2024. The poll also highlights a 17-point drop in support for multiculturalism, with 73% now backing it as a strength, down from 90% in 2024, alongside rising concerns about migration and AI risks. Economic anxiety is at its highest in years, with 59% pessimistic about Australia’s future, while 53% feel unsafe globally. Both sources agree on the data but differ slightly in framing, with the Guardian emphasizing political leadership shifts (e.g., Albanese’s comments on US behavior) and the ABC focusing on long-term alliance resilience and regional trust comparisons.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Australians’ trust in the US to act responsibly hit a record low of 31% in the 2026 Lowy Institute poll.
- Trust in China rose to 28% in the 2026 Lowy Institute poll, narrowing the gap with the US to just 3 points.
- Only 21% of Australians trust US President Donald Trump to do the right thing in world affairs, matching the 20% who trust Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- 73% of Australians still consider the US alliance ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ important for Australia’s security, despite declining trust.
- Support for multiculturalism in Australia dropped from 90% in 2024 to 73% in 2026, the largest single-year decline in the poll’s 22-year history.
- 59% of Australians are pessimistic about Australia’s economic performance over the next five years, up 12 points from 2025.
- 53% of Australians feel ‘unsafe’ or ‘very unsafe’ in the world, a 3-point increase from the 2020 record low during COVID-19.
- The Lowy Institute poll was conducted by the Social Research Centre with a nationally representative sample of over 2,000 people.
- Japan remains the most trusted country (89%), followed by Germany (83%) and the UK (81%) in the 2026 poll.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Charles Lyons-Jones described Australians’ ‘strong distaste for Trumpism and his policy agenda,’ including tariffs and pressuring Denmark.
- Australians see China more as an economic partner (61%) than a security threat, an 11-point increase from 2025.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney inspired the most confidence (66%) among world leaders, ahead of New Zealand’s Christopher Luxon (65%).
- The US alliance’s importance dropped from 83% in 2024 to 73% in 2026, but remains above the 2007 low of 63% under George W. Bush.
- Australia’s trust in China was at 12% in 2022, compared to 65% trust in the US at the time.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged in May 2026 that ‘the United States is playing a different role now,’ citing the Iran war decision without ally consultation.
- Two-thirds (68%) of Australians support the AUKUS submarine deal, despite broader US distrust.
- Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Australians believe AI risks outweigh benefits, up 12 points since 2024.
- 55% of Australians say migration levels are ‘too high,’ up from 48% in 2024 and matching the 2018 peak of 54%.
- The poll marks the first time ‘the two superpowers [US and China] are distrusted in equal measure.’
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states trust in China rose ‘eight points’ to 28%, while the Guardian does not specify the exact increase but notes it went from 20% to 28%.
- The ABC mentions ‘liberal democracies’ like Japan, Germany, and the UK enjoying high trust, while the Guardian does not detail trust levels for these countries.
- The Guardian highlights ‘a 17 percentage-point plunge’ in multiculturalism support, while the ABC frames it as a drop from 90% to 73% (a 17-point decline, consistent).
- The ABC notes ‘61% see China as an economic partner,’ while the Guardian does not provide this exact figure but states attitudes are ‘warming.’
Source Articles
Australian trust in China grows as belief in US hits record low
The Lowy Institute's latest poll shows Australia's trust in the US has fallen to a record low.
Australia undergoing historic decline in support for multiculturalism amid rising fear and pessimism, poll finds
Share of people who say cultural diversity has been good for the nation plunges from 90% in 2024 to 73% in 2026, Lowy Institute survey finds Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Australia is undergoing a historic decline in support for multiculturalism, according to the Lowy Institute’s annual poll, amid a groundswell of fear rooted in mounting economic pessimism and an increasingly illiberal and chaotic world order. The Lowy poll is the latest edition of the country’s lo