Filipinos Trust US, Japan Most; China, Iran Rated Poorly

The national Social Weather Survey found net trust ratings at "good" for the United States and Japan. At the same time, China, Palestine and Iran received "poor" net trust ratings. The Second Quarter 2026 survey was conducted from June 20-29, 2026, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila), the Visayas, and Mindanao. The sampling error margins are ±3% for national percentages and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. The survey was non-commissioned. According to the survey, the United States and Japan were the most trusted among selected countries, posting "good" net trust ratings of +42 and +36, respectively. Australia received a "moderate" rating (+29), while Israel (-5) and Russia (-8) were rated "neutral." China (-16), Palestine (-19), and Iran (-23) received "poor" net trust ratings. "Net trust in the United States has been positive since SWS first surveyed it in December 1994, ranging from moderate +18 in May 2005 to excellent +82 in December 2013," SWS said. Meanwhile, it added that net trust in China has been positive in only nine out of 74 surveys since SWS first surveyed it in August 1994. It reached as high as moderate +17 in June 2010 and as low as very bad -54 in June 2024. —LDF, GMA News