Former US President for the Republican Party. ran for re-election in 2020

The⁢ election of ⁢Donald Trump for his second term at the head of the White⁣ House was​ sung, once again, by the patriotic slogans ‌”Make America Great Again” and‍ “America first”, but the opinion of citizens around an increasingly multipolar world ‍suggests that, a year after the Republican’s‍ victory, the effects caused by Trump’s leadership in washington have had the opposite⁣ effect.

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Figures collected in the ‍European Council on foreign Relations (ECFR) global public opinion⁢ poll released today show that China gathers more confidence that ‍it⁣ will increase⁣ its⁢ international influence than USA. ⁢And that,​ in the face of threats from the American president, international relations and the global order ‌have been reconfigured, allowing ​the opening of more space ⁤and power‌ for the East ⁤and⁣ other countries, in addition to a clearer separation of⁤ the conventional transatlantic​ alliance‍ between the USA and Europe.

The‌ study was carried out in November 2025, ⁢a year after Trump’s victory, and interviewed 25,949 people in ​21 countries, including 15 European countries (Germany, Bulgaria, ⁤Denmark, Spain, Estonia, France

In⁤ the case of Americans, ‍data analyst‌ and senior researcher at ECFR, Pawel Zerka, attributes this perception to the Democratic electorate, ⁤who‌ believes in Trump’s failure, but also‌ to ​Republicans who “are ⁣used to understanding how global influence is built”. According to him,‍ from a⁢ democratic viewpoint, this ‌power would be related to the ⁤maintenance of reliable partners⁤ and the existence of international⁢ institutions, in this case, under American leadership.

“Trump ⁢is ​leading to the​ marginalization of these multilateral institutions, destroying many alliances, betraying his allies, threatening them, (…) I wouldn’t be surprised if they [os americanos] conclude that his actions are leading to a weaker America‌ globally,” ‌he told‍ GLOBO.

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Still, ⁣many ⁤believe the US will maintain its influence.For the authors of the research, this may reflect a‌ “new conception of global power, with the USA acting only as a great power⁤ in a post-Western ​world”.

The study also highlights that the ⁢change of power in the USA appears to be “undermining people’s affinity” with‌ the country.⁢ There has been a ​notable drop among Europeans,where only‌ 16% of people today‌ consider the US an ally,compared to 21% at the end of 2024,and 20% of​ them ‌see Washington as a rival⁢ or enemy.Moreover, 23% of europeans surveyed​ believe that​ their country’s​ relations with the ​US will weaken in the​ next 5 years, while ⁣14% think the same about ties with Beijing.

The ⁢study confirms that​ global public opinion​ no longer sees an order‌ based on a⁢ bipolar ideological dispute ⁤for global influence.The research highlights that the​ consolidation of American power as ⁢a “normal” transactional power and the‌ establishment of China as an equivalent ​giant fuel the expectation of people outside the traditional West ‍for more space for their own ​countries to grow.

“For them, the multipolar world seems to be made up​ of many powers, big and small, with the‍ US​ and China ‍as ​the ⁣two‌ superpowers – but with o

US-International Relations Under ⁣the trump Administration

The ⁣statement reflects a concern, expressed in‍ late 2020, regarding ⁤the potential for a humbling ⁣diplomatic position​ for nations ‌dealing with the United‍ States during the Trump presidency, coupled with the continued necessity of maintaining a working relationship with⁢ Washington.

During ⁤Donald Trump’s⁤ presidency ⁢(2017-2021), the US pursued an “America First” foreign policy, often characterized by unilateral actions and ‌renegotiation of existing international agreements. This approach led to strained relationships with traditional allies and a perception of unpredictability in US foreign policy.Critics argued this created a power imbalance, ⁣potentially forcing⁤ other⁢ nations into disadvantageous positions to secure US cooperation.

For example, the Trump administration withdrew the US‍ from the Joint Comprehensive​ Plan of‌ Action (JCPOA), commonly ‍known as the Iran nuclear deal, in May 2018.U.S. Department of State – Iran Nuclear⁢ Deal. This​ decision, despite objections from European allies (France, Germany, and ‌the United Kingdom), required ⁣those nations​ to navigate ​complex sanctions regimes to continue trade with ​Iran,​ demonstrating a degree of deference to US policy.

Donald Trump’s Foreign Policy Approach

Donald Trump’s foreign ‌policy prioritized bilateral negotiations and challenged the established ⁣multilateral ⁢order. He⁤ frequently criticized international organizations like NATO and the World Trade Institution, questioning their‍ value to the United states.

This‌ approach manifested⁣ in several‌ key actions:

• Trade Wars: Imposition of tariffs on⁣ goods from China, the ⁢european⁤ Union, and other countries, leading to retaliatory measures ⁣and trade‌ disputes. Council‍ on Foreign ​Relations – Trump’s Trade Wars
• Renegotiation of NAFTA: Replacement of ⁤the North American Free Trade Agreement with the‌ United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).united States‌ Trade Representative⁤ – USMCA
• Moving the US ⁢Embassy‍ to Jerusalem: Recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocation‍ of​ the US embassy, a move that deviated from decades of US policy and ‌drew international criticism. U.S. Department of State⁢ – Jerusalem

Current US ‌Foreign Policy ​(as of January 15, 2026)

As of January​ 15, 2026, the Biden ‍administration‌ has​ largely reversed many of the Trump-era foreign policy decisions, re-engaging ​with ⁢international organizations and⁢ allies. however, the long-term effects ⁢of the “America First”⁢ approach continue to shape global perceptions of US ⁣reliability.

Recent developments include:

• Ukraine Support: Continued military and financial aid ‌to ‍Ukraine ⁤following the ⁢Russian invasion ‍in February 2022. U.S. Department of State – Ukraine
• Re-engagement with the WHO: ⁢ Rejoining the World health Organization ‌after the Trump ⁢administration withdrew in 2020. World Health ⁤Organization – US Rejoins WHO
• Focus on Climate change: Recommitting to‍ the Paris agreement on‍ climate change and implementing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.‍ the white House – Climate Change

Despite these shifts, maintaining strong relationships with ‌Washington remains a priority for⁢ many⁢ nations due to the US’s⁣ economic and military influence.The US ⁤remains the world’s ‍largest⁢ economy and possesses the⁤ most powerful military, ​making it a crucial partner for many countries, even those critical of its policies.