Many Filipinos are unsure about whether US President Donald Trump will act in the best interest of the world, according to the February 2025 national survey by non-partisan public opinion research firm WR Numero. Meanwhile, 7 in 10 expressed concern over the US-China trade war’s impact on their personal lives and families.
The Philippine Public Opinion Monitor assessed Filipinos’ confidence in Trump to uphold international welfare as US president, and their concerns about the potential effects of the ongoing US-China trade war on their personal lives and their families. Trump was re-elected as US president in November 2024 and took office in January 2025.
Findings from the non-commissioned survey revealed that 2 in 5 Filipinos are unsure whether Trump would act in the best interest of the international community. Meanwhile, 31% are confident that he will take the necessary steps to safeguard global welfare and stability, while 24% disagree.
Nearly half of Mindanaons (49%) and Visayans (48%) are undecided about whether they are confident in the American leader’s commitment to global well-being. Similarly, 43% of Filipinos from the rest of Luzon express uncertainty about his leadership. Metro Manila residents, however, are sharply divided, with confidence and uncertainty tied at 32% each.
Across income groups, nearly half of Filipinos from Classes E and D are unsure if they are confident that Trump will advance shared global interests (45% and 44%, respectively). In contrast, those from Class ABC are divided, with 36% expressing distrust, 33% uncertain, and 32% confident.
When asked if they are worried about the impact of the trade war between the US and China to their household, 72% of Filipinos expressed deep concern. Meanwhile, 18% were uncertain, and some 10% were unbothered.
Three in 4 Filipinos aged 30 and below (75%) are worried about the direct impact of the trade war on their families, followed by those aged 31 to 59 (71%) and those 60 and above (68%). In contrast, Filipinos 60 and older show the least concern, with 15% saying they are not worried about the trade war’s impact on their households.
Across the regions, most Filipinos view the US-China trade war as a pressing concern, with only slight variations: 75.3% in the rest of Luzon, 72% in Visayas, 70% in Metro Manila, and 67% in Mindanao.
The nationwide, non-commissioned survey, conducted from February 10 to 18, 2025, was done through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,814 Filipinos aged 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of ±2% at a 95% confidence level. At the subnational level, the margin of error is ±6% for the National Capital Region, ±5% for North and Central Luzon, ±5% for South Luzon, ±5% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao, all at the same 95% confidence level.
The complete Volume 2025 Issue 1 report is set to be released this March. The issue will feature the complete survey findings on the current state of public opinion on the upcoming 2025 general elections, the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, and crucial issues concerning the nation and the world. Sign up at bit.ly/PPOMSignup to receive updates once the complete WR Numero Philippine Public Opinion Monitor Volume 2025, Issue 1 is released.
