00:008. NATO Allies Ditch America for China as U.S. Approval Collapses and Alliance Fractures
00:06Across NATO, confidence in U.S. leadership has plummeted to 21% in 2025, while China's
00:14approval rose to 22%, creating an unprecedented parity among alliance members. Polling by
00:20Gallup between March and October 2025 reflects growing unease over U.S. military actions in
00:26Venezuela, and talk of controlling Greenland, highlighting the importance of trust in the
00:31alliance. The decline in approval is concentrated in key NATO members. Germany's approval dropped
00:3839 points and Portugal's 38, with 18 of 31 NATO countries seeing double-digit declines. Turkey
00:47is an exception, gaining 12 points. Economic and security concerns drive many countries to consider
00:53alternative partners like China. U.S. approval within NATO has historically fluctuated with
00:59presidential leadership, high under Obama, low under Trump, rebounding under Biden, and now back down
01:05to near-trough levels. European institutions maintain stronger credibility, with the EU at 60%
01:12and Germany at 54%. Aggressive U.S. rhetoric on defense spending and territorial ambitions has
01:19fueled dissatisfaction. Many Europeans resent being pressured to spend 5% of GDP on defense,
01:26and China's growing influence in Europe through infrastructure and loans presents an appealing
01:30alternative. In Slovenia, Luxembourg, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, Montenegro, Iceland, and Greece,
01:38China now leads U.S. approval by at least 10 points. These nations, representing over 120 million
01:45people, illustrate a subtle realignment in NATO opinion. Only Poland, Albania, and Romania remain
01:51solidly pro-U.S. Southern European nations show the largest shift toward Beijing, with Spain,
01:58Greece, and Turkey, recording double-digit increases in Chinese approval. Iceland and some Nordic countries
02:04show minimal support for U.S. leadership. National leaders reflect or amplify public concerns.
02:11Danish PM Metti Frederiksen warned Greenland disputes could threaten NATO, while Canada
02:16seeks diversification through trade with China. Despite U.S. losses, China's approval grew substantially
02:22in only a few countries. Gains are uneven and reflect Washington's missteps more than universal
02:29Chinese appeal. With ongoing conflicts, U.S.-Europe tensions, and rising China-Russia cooperation,
02:35NATO faces new strategic pressures. Most members view U.S. and Chinese leadership similarly,
02:42leaving only three clear U.S. loyalists. Nations are boosting defense and diversifying partnerships,
02:48with the EU emerging as a counterweight. Public frustration and policy disagreements suggest
02:53NATO could face real challenges in future crises. As 2026 continues, NATO must rebuild trust in U.S.
03:01leadership to prevent permanent damage, while China remains poised to capitalize on any further missteps.
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