By John Q. Hosedrinker 
According to recent research by the Pew Research Centre, a majority of Australians now prioritize stronger economic ties with China over the United States. This shift represents a notable increase compared to previous years, while the preference for prioritizing economic ties with the US has decreased. Despite this, Australians generally hold unfavorable views of China and lack confidence in its leadership. The survey also indicated shifting opinions in high-income countries towards the US and China, along with the economic growth of China.
Read the original article here
The Washington-based Pew Research Centre’s findings illuminate a shifting global landscape, where perceptions of China have improved, partially fueled by a decline in the United States’ image. It’s almost unbelievable, but the actions of the former administration appear to have inadvertently gifted China a significant advantage. The US, once a beacon of goodwill and soft power, has witnessed its reputation erode, leaving a void that China is strategically poised to fill.
Objectively, the previous administration’s actions, from dismantling established programs to adopting isolationist policies, have severely damaged the United States’ standing. The dismantling of agencies and programs designed to strengthen America’s reputation and the use of soft power have been dismantled, leaving the nation vulnerable. This, combined with a perceived lack of global engagement and a general air of instability, has painted a less favorable picture of the US worldwide. While the US grapples with internal strife, China presents a contrasting image of stability and consistency, even if some of its actions raise concerns.
Brand America has been tarnished. It appears that China has been able to benefit by simply appearing “normal.” The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can seemingly sit back and watch as the United States struggles. The Trump administration came up with ways of damaging the United States’ position in the world.
The situation also highlights a crucial geopolitical observation, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting,” as the Sun Tzu quote suggests. The US, by its own actions, has made China’s ascent easier. It’s almost as though they followed the advice of Sun Tzu. The United States, particularly under the previous leadership, appears to have voluntarily relinquished its position on the global stage. The country may have been brought down, and the global community may not trust the U.S. again.
China, on the other hand, is not without its issues. The poll highlights that while perceptions of China are improving, they still face skepticism in many parts of the world. However, with the US seemingly self-sabotaging, China has an opportunity to strengthen its position. The United States is not the only country with diplomatic challenges. A lot of people have not forgotten that the Chinese government can be quite ruthless.
The “Belt and Road initiative” benefits greatly from the US diminishing its diplomatic presence, which is undeniable. This is not a secret plan, and one that the United States will be hard-pressed to fight. For decades, China has been building an image of a stable and reasonable nation. This has changed in the last decade due to the former administration’s policy, which created an opportunity for China to move into a vacuum.
The long-term effects of the recent political climate in the US are probably going to damage the United States. It is difficult to say if the damage can ever be repaired. The world sees the United States as no longer being a stable country that can be trusted. This lack of trust is going to allow China to take advantage. The United States will be setting the stage for China’s rise.
Some may argue that China still has a long way to go before reaching the global influence that the United States once held. However, it is undeniable that China has been working hard to create the image of an open society. It should also be noted that the US has done for China what it couldn’t do for itself. The damage to American soft power will be felt for decades.
Some might even say that the US has transitioned from a good cop to a neighborhood mobster. It appears that the US, under the previous administration, has been asking for protection money. The US has moved to protectionism, and will have to face the consequences.