The US President’s “America First” agenda is bringing countries closer to China, favoring China’s rise and boosting the perception of a “truly multipolar world”.
“After a year of Trump’s return, in several countries, many people believe that China is about to become even more powerful” – that’s what the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), after surveying 25,949 people in 21 countries, including the United States, China, Russia, United Kingdom and Brazil.
The majority of interviewees considered that the China leads in key sectorssuch as renewable energy technology, electric vehicles, and which is gaining geopolitical influence.
In almost every territory analyzed, participants expect Chinese global influence to increase over the next decade, with rates ranging from 83% in South Africa and 72% in Brazil to 57% in Russia, 54% in the US and 50% in the UK.
“Only in Ukraine and South Korea do the majority see China as a rival or opponent. Since last year, more people consider this superpower specifically as a ally in South Africa and Brazil”, the ECFR added.
In India, despite traditionally tense relations with Beijing, almost half of respondents see China as a necessary ally or partner.
Several countries also foresee a strengthening of relations with China over the next five years, including the majority of respondents in South Africa and Brazil.
The study also revealed that the Europeans’ confidence in US leadership fell sharplywith many feeling that the Western order is receding and that the European Union is not strong enough to face the US or China.
“China’s rise suits some people”
“A China’s rise is seen as something that suits people who live in most non-Western countries. Life without a hegemonic power is how most seem to imagine the post-American world”, stated the think tank.
According to the results, China’s rise does not necessarily mean the US’s decline, as many believe that Washington will continue to have global influence.
Only in Brazil, India, South Africa and Türkiye did the majority of respondents consider that the US will have more global power in the next decade. In the USA itself, only 43% shared this opinion, and in Russia the proportion fell to 20%.
The data was collected in November, before the US operation that resulted in the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife in early January.
