A New Zealand public opinion survey shows the United States has become the top threat for the first time, with economic factors influencing public perception.

New Zealand: The United States Seen as the Greatest Threat

Asia – According to a survey conducted by the New Zealand Asia Society, for the first time in a decade, New Zealanders have identified the United States as the greatest threat, driven by concerns over trade disruptions and global instability influencing public opinion. This annual survey, titled "Survey on Perceptions of Asia and Asians," has been carried out for 29 consecutive years and surveyed 2,300 people in January and February this year.

39% of respondents viewed the United States as a friend to New Zealand, while 35% saw it as a threat. In contrast, 43% of respondents considered China a friend. Over the past year, the number of people viewing the U.S. as an ally has significantly declined, while China’s image has improved.

Suzannah Jessep, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Asia Society, stated in the report: "The survey also shows that 81% of New Zealanders consider developing relationships with Asia extremely important. People are increasingly recognizing that prosperity, resilience, and security will depend on the depth and quality of our relationships with Asian nations."

In recent years, New Zealand and the United States have strengthened cooperation in defense, security, and technology sectors. Wellington regards Washington as a pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, New Zealand exporters have been affected by U.S. tariffs, and rising oil prices linked to conflicts between the U.S., Israel, and Iran have placed additional pressure on New Zealand's economy.

David Capie, Professor of International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington, said: "New Zealanders still primarily view security through an economic lens; thus, tariffs and global trade disruptions play a significant role in their considerations."

Capie added that the deterioration in sentiment toward the United States reflects a broader trend across Western liberal democracies. A December survey conducted by the University of Sydney found that most Australians, Japanese, and Indians believe that former U.S. President Trump’s second term would be detrimental to their respective countries.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1867569252113420/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) personally.