A global survey of over 35,000 people across 34 countries finds growing support for international cooperation and higher trust in institutions, even as backing for the United States and China as global leaders declines.

If leaders are judged by credibility, Canada, Japan, Australia, the European Union, Britain, and the United Nations are seen as better prospects to lead than the U.S. and China, with Russia trailing.

Trust in key institutions is rising, led by the World Health Organization, followed by the United Nations, and then the World Bank and IMF, with the International Criminal Court and World Trade Organization also showing solid support.

The report stresses that it analyzes context rather than forecasting commodity prices or farm incomes, offering a lens on geopolitics, economics, and cooperation that could shape U.S. agriculture in 2026 and beyond.

A divide emerges by income level: higher-income economies prioritize conflict prevention, while developing economies push for a fairer global economy and trade, affecting agricultural market access and development.

Context notes place the poll ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, amid Middle East conflict and energy-market disruptions that influence oil prices and global growth.

The findings are framed against recent tensions, including Iran-related conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, alongside prior U.S. tariff actions.

Commentary from analysts and think tanks underscores eroding global leadership as energy and geopolitical stresses mount in the post-pandemic era.

For U.S. agriculture, the takeaway is a fragile but cooperative international environment, urging producers to track geopolitical stability, fair trade practices, and food-security programs that intersect with yields and policy.

Public demand for tangible outcomes is high: about 81% favor cooperation if it clearly resolves global problems and 80% if it solves domestic issues, pushing policymakers toward demonstrable results in trade, aid, and food security.

The poll is released under the Build the Shared Future initiative, aiming to reinvigorate international cooperation on shared values and mutual responsibility ahead of the UN General Assembly.

Overall, there is a broad tilt toward multilateralism and collaboration in response to ongoing geopolitical and economic pressures.