00:008. NATO Allies Ditch America for China as U.S. Approval Collapses and Alliance Fractures
00:05Across NATO, confidence in U.S. leadership has plummeted to 21% in 2025, while China's
00:13approval rose to 22%, creating an unprecedented parity among alliance members.
00:19Polling by Gallup between March and October 2025 reflects growing unease over U.S. military
00:25actions in Venezuela, and talk of controlling Greenland, highlighting the importance of trust
00:31in the alliance. The decline in approval is concentrated in key NATO members. Germany's
00:39approval dropped 39 points, and Portugal's 38, with 18 of 31 NATO countries seeing double-digit
00:47declines. Turkey is an exception, gaining 12 points. Economic and security concerns drive
00:54many countries to consider alternative partners like China. U.S. approval within NATO has historically
01:00fluctuated with presidential leadership, high under Obama, low under Trump, rebounding under
01:05Biden and now back down to near-trough levels. European institutions maintain stronger credibility,
01:13with the EU at 60% and Germany at 54%. Aggressive U.S. rhetoric on defense spending and territorial
01:20ambitions has fueled dissatisfaction. Many Europeans resent being pressured to spend 5% of GDP on
01:27defense, and China's growing influence in Europe through infrastructure and loans presents an appealing
01:32alternative. In Slovenia, Luxembourg, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, Montenegro, Iceland, and Greece,
01:39China now leads U.S. approval by at least 10 points. These nations, representing over 120 million
01:46people, illustrate a subtle realignment in NATO opinion. Only Poland, Albania, and Romania remain
01:52solidly pro-U.S. Southern European nations show the largest shift toward Beijing, with Spain,
01:59Greece, and Turkey recording double-digit increases in Chinese approval. Iceland and some Nordic countries
02:05show minimal support for U.S. leadership. National leaders reflect or amplify public concerns.
02:12Danish Prime Minister Mehta Frederiksen warned Greenland disputes could threaten NATO,
02:17while Canada seeks diversification through trade with China. Despite U.S. losses, China's approval grew
02:23substantially, in only a few countries. Gains are uneven and reflect Washington's missteps more than
02:30universal Chinese appeal. With ongoing conflicts, U.S.-Europe tensions, and rising China-Russia
02:36cooperation, NATO faces new strategic pressures. Most members view U.S. and Chinese leadership
02:43similarly, leaving only three clear U.S. loyalists. Nations are boosting defense and diversifying
02:49partnerships, with the EU emerging as a counterweight. Public frustration and policy
02:55disagreements suggest NATO could face real challenges in future crises. As 2026 continues, NATO must rebuild
03:02trust in U.S. leadership to prevent permanent damage, while China remains poised to capitalize on any further
03:09missteps.
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