STRACOM
US-Turkey Relations and public opinion survey on the new President Donald Trump
Executive summary
Research Summary
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Total Number of Participants: 1,336
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Research Dates: January 15-18, 2025
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Research Method: Online Panel (CAWI)
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Quota: Age, Gender, 12 regions at NUTS-1 level
Findings and Evaluation
The research results clearly reveal the perceptions of the Turkish public regarding the US, its relations, and its leaders. While participants' views on Donald Trump are predominantly neutral or positive, general dissatisfaction with Joe Biden stands out. Although Trump's presidency is not expected to bring significant changes to US-Turkey relations, the proportion of those with positive expectations is notable. The most critical issues between the two countries are identified as PKK/Terror/YPG support.
1) Opinions on the New US President Donald Trump
Among the survey participants, opinions about Donald Trump were distributed as follows: 11.15% of respondents held a "very positive" view of Trump, while 24.55% expressed a "positive" opinion. A neutral stance was taken by the majority, at 43.49%. Those with a "negative" opinion of Trump accounted for 15.04%, and 5.76% reported a "very negative" view.
2) Opinions on Outgoing US President Joe Biden
Opinions about Joe Biden were as follows: only 2.10% of participants held a "very positive" view of Biden, and 6.89% expressed a "positive" opinion. The proportion of respondents with a "neutral" stance on Biden was 23.80%. Those expressing a "negative" opinion reached 31.96%, while 35.25% held a "very negative" view. This indicates a significantly high level of negative perception toward Biden.
3. How will Trump’s Presidency affect US-Turkey relations?Participants' expectations regarding the impact of Trump’s presidency on US-Turkey relations were as follows: 30.84% believed Trump’s presidency would have a “positive” impact on relations between the two countries, while 46.33% expressed that “nothing would change.” The proportion of those who thought relations would be “negatively” affected was 22.83%.
4. The most significant issues between the US and Turkey
Based on the coding of open-ended responses regarding the most critical issues between Turkey and the US, the results were as follows:
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64.45% identified the most important issue as PKK/Terror/YPG support.
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The FETÖ issue ranked second, with 30.76%.
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The F35/S400 weapons topics were third, mentioned by 22.98%.
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The Israel/Palestine conflict was seen as a significant issue by 16.92%.
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Greece/Aegean disputes were highlighted by 10.40% of participants.
Other less frequently mentioned issues included economic sanctions (3.52%), Russia/Caucasus/Armenia (2.54%), and Turkish democracy (2.10%).
