Reference News Network, January 16 report: The German newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung" website published an article titled "A Powerful China, Anxious Europe" on January 14. The author is Tobias Zech. The article is translated as follows:

The international influence of China has been growing continuously - a policy under Trump's leadership in the United States has also played a role in this. This is one of the key conclusions of the latest survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations. Moreover, the survey results show that Europe has become extremely anxious.

About 26,000 people from 21 countries were interviewed, with the survey conducted in November 2025, almost a year after Trump's re-election. In this year, the international image of the United States has undergone significant changes. In most of the surveyed countries, the proportion of people who consider "the United States as an ally with similar interests and values" has significantly decreased compared to November 2024.

Especially in the 10 EU countries surveyed, the decline in public trust in the United States is very obvious. Only 16% of respondents still view the United States as an ally, and another 20% consider the United States as a competitor or even an enemy.

The research team believes that one of the important factors leading to this result is the open statements made by the United States towards Europe. For example, last February, the U.S. Vice President Vance gave a speech at the Munich Security Conference, accusing Europe of limiting freedom of speech; the newly released U.S. National Security Strategy predicted a threat of "civilization erasure" facing Europe.

Not only has the credibility of U.S. policy declined, but also Trump's personal approval ratings - even in places that used to be very welcoming to him. In November 2024, 84% of Indian respondents believed that Trump's election was good news for India. One year later, this proportion dropped to 53%. A clear downward trend was observed in most other surveyed countries as well.

The research team wrote, "If there is a global popularity competition, the United States is losing to its competitors in the Indo-Pacific region," namely China. It is not surprising that most Russians view China as an ally or at least as a "necessary partner." However, in emerging countries such as South Africa and Brazil, the majority of people also have a positive view of China. Additionally, half of the citizens of the United States and the European Union also see China as an ally or partner.

The world is moving toward multipolarity, and China is becoming increasingly powerful. In the eyes of many South Africans, Russians, and Brazilians, this direction will give their countries more room for development. However, the British and EU citizens who participated in the survey seem worried: they have become part of what researchers call the "League of Pessimists," composed of "a declining America and its abandoned allies."

In the 10 EU countries surveyed, only 18% of respondents hold an "optimistic" view about their country's future. The situation in the UK is worse (9%).

The world is fragmented, confidence in the United States is declining, and concerns about Russian threats are increasing. One of the authors of the study, British historian Timothy Garton Ash, made the following comment: "Europeans have finally realized the harsh reality of the post-Western world. They have found that they can no longer rely on the United States for security, nor on China for prosperity, nor on Russia for energy supply. Can they rely on themselves? They express doubt." (Translated by Zhong Sirui)

Original: toutiao.com/article/7595912659057263130/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.