Australian foreign policy

Australia's best friend in the world

A majority of Australians (59%) select New Zealand as our best friend in the world, an increase of six points from 2017 and up 27 points from 2014.

After losing ground in 2017, the United States has rebounded and 20% say it is Australia’s best friend. This remains 15 points lower than in 2014 (35%), when the United States and New Zealand were ranked equal first as our best friend.

The United Kingdom ranks third in 2019, with only 15% saying the United Kingdom is our best friend. In 2017, the United Kingdom was ranked equal second, alongside the United States.

Australians may view our relationship with our largest trading partner, China, as of a similar priority to the United States, but only 4% say China is our best friend. This number has halved since 2017. The number of Australians saying the United States is our best friend is now five times higher than the number nominating China.

Although Japan consistently ranks above the United States in warmth on the Lowy Institute ‘feelings thermometer’, only 2% see Japan as Australia’s best friend. Even fewer Australians (1%) choose Indonesia as our best friend.

Australian foreign policy
Australia's best friend in the world

Question

Now about Australia’s relations with other countries around the world. In your personal opinion, which one of the following countries is Australia’s best friend?

This question was last asked in 2019.

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2017

2019

Dashed line indicates change in mode: see Methodology.

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