Most Americans still support major US role in global affairs

A solid majority, or 72 percent, of Americans still want the US to play leading or major role in global affairs, found a Gallup poll on Monday.


This was about the same as when former President Barack Obama took office despite the election victory of President Donald Trump, who adopts a relatively isolationist agenda.

Twenty-three percent of Americans think the US should play the leading role in world affairs, while 49 percent believe it should play a major role, according to Gallup.

Support for the US playing the leading role was slightly lower at the beginning of the George W. Bush administration, but support for a major role was higher, it said.

Americans' support for leading or major US role in global affairs has been strong and consistent since 2001 terror attacks, Gallup found.

Young Americans and independents are most skeptical about US role in global affairs, it added.

Nearly four in 10 of those aged 18 to 34 want the US to play a minor role or no role in international affairs. Among those aged 35 and older, the figure is 22 percent, according to Gallup.

Support for a limited US role in global affairs was 25 percent among younger adults when Obama became president in 2009 and 31 percent when G.W. Bush took office in 2001, Gallup found.
 [Xinhua/China]
7/3/17