The Edelman Trust Barometer has been surveying thousands of people for the past twenty years to gauge trust in their governments, media, business, and NGOs. Interestingly, the latest survey showed increased trust in several autocratic countries, particularly China. The report also noted that business, due to its efforts in vaccine development and adapting to new workplace and retail practices, has maintained high levels of trust globally, although there are doubts about its commitment to social fairness. Richard Edelman, whose communications group conducted the survey with over 36,000 respondents in 28 countries between Nov 1-24 of the previous year, commented on the lack of trust in democracies and attributed it to economic uncertainty, particularly concerns about job losses due to the pandemic or automation. In the past year, public trust in institutions has declined in Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, South Korea, and the United States, while it has increased in China, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand. Despite the trillions of dollars spent by wealthy nations to support their economies during the pandemic, there is still a lack of lasting confidence. In Japan, only 15% of people believe they will be better off in five years, compared to higher percentages in other democracies. In contrast, nearly two-thirds of Chinese citizens and 80% of Indians are optimistic about their economic future. Edelman stated that in China, higher levels of public trust are not only influenced by economic perceptions but also by a greater sense of predictability in Chinese policies, particularly regarding the pandemic. He noted that there is a consistency between actions and words in China, which has resulted in a more successful response to COVID-19 compared to the United States. The latest Edelman survey aligns with previous findings that show a growing disillusionment with capitalism, political leadership, and the media. Concerns about "fake news" have reached record levels, with three-quarters of respondents worldwide expressing worry about its potential use as a weapon. Climate change has become the second biggest concern for society, right after unemployment. Business leaders are under pressure to make decisions based on their beliefs and values, with many people saying they support businesses that align with their values. However, a significant number of people also feel that businesses are not doing enough to tackle climate change, economic inequality, and workforce reskilling.