Donald Trump is more trusted than Joe Biden to stand up to the USA's foreign foes, poll finds despite the President sneaking ahead of his rival in the race for the White House

Donald Trump is more trusted to stand up to China, Russia and Iran than Joe Biden, a new poll shows.

The former US president is ahead of his successor by a margin of 46 per cent to 39 per cent - and leads in every age group.

By a very narrow margin of 43 per cent to 42 per cent, Biden is more trusted with America's nuclear arsenal.

Amongst 18-21-year-olds, Trump however retains a nine per cent lead on the nuclear question.

He is significantly ahead among men, with 51 per cent backing him to 38 per cent entrusting Biden, but women put both contenders at 41 per cent.

Donald Trump has been found to be more trusted to stand up to China, Russia and Iran than Joe Biden

The former US president is ahead of his successor Biden (pictured) by a margin of 46 per cent to 39 per cent - and leads in every age group

The poll comes at a time when the West is increasingly under threat from China, Russia and Iran. Pictured left is Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Chinese President Xi Jinping pictured right

The poll comes at a time when the West is increasingly under threat from China, Russia and Iran.

Whoever wins the race for the White House will be crucial to its defence.

Isolationist Trump has long railed against China and is likely to start a trade war with the country if he returns to power. Biden, however, has vowed to support Taiwan if China invade, which Trump hasn't.

Russia is more difficult for the former US president, as there are fears he would drop the US's support for Ukraine, which Biden has fought hard to keep.

Trump is more likely to heavily sanction Iran and pulled the US out of a landmark nuclear deal with the country in 2018. He also oversaw the assassination of one of its top generals.

Biden has defended Israel against direct attacks from Iran and has sanctioned the country's leaders as the war in Gaza continues.