Perceptions of U.S. economic power rebound in Europe Medians world's leading across five European nations saying is the world's leading economic European power
Overall, there is no strong consensus about the trajectory of American power over the past decade. When asked whether the U.S. plays a less, more or equally important and powerful role as a world leader today compared with 10 years ago, respondents in most countries are fairly divided. Japan is the only country in which a majority thinks the U.S. is less important and powerful than it was a decade ago, while India is the only nation with a majority saying the U.S. is more important and powerful. For their part, Americans are more likely than most of the other publics surveyed to believe their country’s power is waning: 46% say the U.S. is playing a less important role in the world. (For more on U.S. views about foreign policy, see “Public Uncertain, Divided Over America’s Place in the World.”)
In the European Union, public opinion has moved substantially on this question since it was first asked in 2008. Looking across five EU nations polled each year since 2008 – France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the UK – the median percentage naming the U.S. as the world’s top economic power declined rapidly after 2009, but has rebounded steadily since 2012.
American public opinion has also shifted on this question. As recently as 2014, 41% said China was the leading economy, while 40% chose the U.S. Now, just 34% think it’s China, while 54% say the U.S.
Perceptions of U.S. economic power  | rebound in Europe  | Medians world's leading across five European nations saying is the  | world's leading economic European power  | 80%  | China  | 57  | 53  | 49  | 45  | 40  | 39  | 37  | 35  | 33 34  | 29  | 28  | 28  | U.S.  | 2008  | 2010  | 2012  | 2014  | 2016  | Note: Percenta ges Spain are five-country UK medians based on France,  | Germany, Percenta Poland ges Spain and the UK  | Source: Spring 2016 Global Attitudes Survey. 023.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 