/https://i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2025/u/W/f05VFuRAmyZws1PiIuqg/trump-e-xi-jimping-bloomberg.jpg "Trump 2.0: China First Policy & Global Threat Perception")
Trump 2.0: China First Policy & Global Threat Perception
- 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...
- "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...
- 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...
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.