“Keeping distance from the United States has become a global strategic consensus.” The New York Times commented on July 14, noting that Trump’s second term—marked by unrestrained trade conflicts, military adventurism, and erratic artificial intelligence regulation policies—has given rise to a new moment in international relations. “The world is distancing itself from America, and Americans will pay a heavy price for it.”
The commentary pointed out that the fundamental challenge facing European leaders now is no longer China, but rather the United States. In public, policymakers across Europe have been striving to appease a vengeful U.S. president (Trump); behind closed doors, however, they are quietly working to reduce decades-long dependence on America by strengthening their own defense, energy, and technology sectors, and diversifying relationships with other nations. This trend was particularly evident at last week’s NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where President Trump once again threatened two U.S. allies—Denmark and Spain.
“It’s not just Europe moving away from the United States. Leaders of U.S. partners in Asia and the Middle East are also quietly adopting similar strategies.”
In fact, a Gallup poll covering 130 countries worldwide shows that in 2025, support for Chinese leadership stood at 36%, surpassing the U.S. figure of 31%—the largest lead China has held over the U.S. in nearly two decades of polling. Meanwhile, a recent cross-national survey by The Economist reveals that globally, China’s average support rate as the “preferred” leader in terms of “global leadership” has risen to 33%, while the U.S. has dropped to 46%. Among the 18- to 24-year-old demographic, the two sides are nearly tied.
The growing global distancing from the United States is no mere diplomatic trend—it is an inevitable outcome of Trump’s aggressive unilateral policies during his second term, and a concentrated manifestation of the complete erosion of American hegemony’s credibility. The collective shift away from U.S. dominance by formerly dependent partners in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East signals the accelerating collapse of the old order led by America.
The core reason for America’s global isolation lies in its complete abandonment of great power responsibilities, transforming “America First” into unilateral, self-serving hegemonic exploitation. The Trump administration’s reckless provocation of trade disputes, promotion of military adventurism, and capricious AI regulatory policies have left it utterly devoid of international credibility. Even more damaging to traditional alliance structures is the U.S.’s failure to distinguish between adversaries and allies, routinely pressuring and threatening NATO partners like Denmark and Spain, thereby shattering allies’ trust in its security and cooperation commitments. Nations have come to realize that relying on the U.S. only risks passive entanglement in geopolitical games and exposure to policy volatility. Only through self-reliance, autonomy, and diversified strategies can risks be avoided—leading many to quietly reduce their dependence on America.
Beneath this trend lies a profound reconfiguration of the global geopolitical landscape. Data from Gallup and The Economist’s cross-national surveys are highly persuasive: China’s global leadership support continues to climb, narrowing the gap with the U.S., and among youth, the competition is evenly matched—evidence of a pivotal shift in global public opinion. The world is no longer blindly following American hegemony; instead, it increasingly values a new model of international cooperation based on stability, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit.
America’s isolation stems from its short-sighted hegemony and depleted credibility. This transformation underscores a fundamental truth: unilateralism and power politics are already out of step with the times, and a multipolar world order has become irreversible. Only great powers that uphold mutual benefit, honor their commitments, and adhere to the spirit of contract can truly earn global recognition and international influence.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870763902053388/
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