The United States is facing significant challenges in its global standing due to the withdrawal of the US under President Donald Trump from international affairs and a more transactional approach to foreign policy, according to a report authored by Democrats. In its assessment of Trump’s first six months in office, the report contends that his presidency has weakened Washington’s ability to compete with China on the world stage. It points to staff cuts at the State Department and the reorganization of agencies like USAID and the US Agency for Global Media as moves that have diminished the US’s power and influence.
The report, published by the Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, portrays China as the most substantial strategic challenge America has ever faced, with a committed strategy to surpass the US as the dominant global superpower. Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticized Trump’s retreat from global initiatives, such as the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement, which has left a vacuum for China to exploit by increasing its international funding and diplomatic efforts.
The tariff disputes initiated by Trump against US trade partners have also been detrimental to the country’s alliances and economic relationships, potentially driving even close allies towards China, as per the report. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center supports the report’s findings by indicating a global shift in favor of China, where its favorability improved in 15 of 25 countries surveyed. Although China remains negatively viewed overall, Pew’s survey showed that it is increasingly perceived as the world’s leading economic power, slightly surpassing the United States.
These shifts in perception were particularly noted in high-income countries like Canada, France, and the UK, where favorability towards the US dropped significantly, and China saw a rise in approval ratings. Additionally, confidence in US leadership plummeted following Trump’s return to power, now sitting lower than that of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Experts suggest that Trump’s trade policy has led to a deeper skepticism and distrust of the US, especially in Asia, and some view China as an appealing alternative. Despite this, there is a recognition that economic cooperation with the US remains essential, and countries are seeking to maintain stable relations with China to address uncertainties stemming from the US’s stance. As a result, several US allies have engaged in diplomatic visits to China, seeking to balance their relationships amidst the shifting landscape of international politics.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/17/us-losing-ground-to-china-due-to-trumps-policies-democrats-warn?traffic_source=rss
