There's a sharp divide between Americans and Chinese when asked which institutions are "most broken," according to the latest annual Edelman Trust Barometer.

Why it matters: A lack of trust in some countries where the GDP remains strong, like the U.S., U.K., Japan, France and Brazil, show that trust declines are no longer linked to economic factors, but rather political ones. 

• Edelman cites major business scandals in Japan and Brazil as being a part of what has led to trust declines in these countries. 
• Populist waves in countries like the U.K., the U.S. and France are likely linked to the decline in trust in institutions.

Go deeper: the full Edelman report.