Views of China have improved recently while views of the U.S. have worsened, to the point where China is now seen more positively than the U.S. in most countries surveyed.

Growing shares of people see China favorably and have confidence in Xi Jinping, though opinions are much less positive in wealthier nations.

China’s domestic economic slowdown is the primary driver of its export strength, because weak domestic demand in China means that excess production is exported at lower prices. Even using Beijing’s ...