A global poll of over 35,000 people across 34 countries finds rising trust in international institutions and support for global cooperation, but growing discomfort with the United States and China serving as global leaders.

Nations view leadership roles more favorably for Canada, Japan, Australia, the European Union, Britain, and the United Nations than for the United States or China, with Russia trailing.

Trust in international institutions is up for organizations like the World Health Organization, United Nations, World Bank, IMF, International Criminal Court, and World Trade Organization.

The report cautions it measures context and attitudes toward geopolitics and cooperation rather than forecasting commodity prices or farm income, offering a lens for U.S. agriculture’s future in 2026 and beyond.

Americans increasingly favor cross-border cooperation to prevent wars and solve global problems through consensus rather than coercion.

This push toward cooperation unfolds amid Middle East conflicts impacting global economic stability.

Income-based differences surface: higher-income economies prioritize conflict prevention, while developing economies push for a fairer global economy and trade, influencing agricultural market access and development.

Context notes flag the poll as prep for the UN General Assembly amid Middle East tensions and energy-market disruptions, including oil-price pressures from the Strait of Hormuz.

The findings are framed by the Israel-Gaza conflict and U.S. tariff actions, with experts noting erosion of global leadership.

The poll, released ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York, includes commentary on leadership erosion from a Rockefeller Foundation official.

Part of the Build the Shared Future initiative, the findings aim to renew international cooperation principles based on shared values and mutual responsibility ahead of the General Assembly.

For U.S. agriculture, the environment remains fragile but open to cooperation, with emphasis on geopolitical stability, fair trade, and food-security programs intersecting with yields and policy.