Trump presidency gives Australians a negative view of US, poll finds

[Tennis]

Faith in the US “acting responsibly” has plummeted among Australians but the rise of China is still viewed as a potential military threat by many, the 2017 Lowy poll has found.

The poll of Australian attitudes to the world, now in its 13th year, found Australians had never felt less safe in the world, with rising concerns about terrorism, climate change, cyberattacks and a nuclear-armed North Korea.

Seventy-nine per cent of Australians polled were dissatisfied with the direction of the world and they were divided (48% dissatisfied, 47% satisfied) on the direction of the nation.

International terrorism was regarded as the most significant threat to Australia’s vital interests over the next decade, with 68% seeing it as a critical threat. North Korea’s nuclear ambitions (65%), climate change (57%) and cyberattacks (55%) were also seen as “critical” threats by a majority of respondents.

Forty-two per cent of Australians said they regarded the presidency of Donald Trump as a critical threat to Australia. Six in 10 Australians said Trump caused them to have a negative impression of the US.

But mistrust in US global responsibility has been deteriorating since long before Trump’s elevation to commander-in-chief. Trust in the US to “act responsibly in the world” has halved since 2011.

Three years ago, 35% of Australians felt the US was the country’s best friend in the world. That figure is now 17%.

Only 20% of Australians (down from 40% in six years) had a “great deal” of trust in the US and only 61% had trust in the US, far behind the UK (90%) and Germany and Japan (86%).

The author of the poll report, Alex Oliver, told Guardian Australia support for the US alliance was safe, for now.

“There are some cracks appearing, however,” she said. “Where the relationship has been affected is in the overall trust Australians have in the US and in the strength of the friendship. Support for the alliance and feelings for the US hit a low point in the Bush presidency as well and the alliance survived that period. However, Bush was followed by a very different president in Obama.

“If the Trump presidency continues to be characterised by erratic and unpredictable decision-making which disregards its allies, if it continues that way in a second term, and if Trump’s successor is more of the same in terms of ‘America first’ nationalism, then Australian public commitment to the alliance is not assured and should not be taken for granted.”

Australia’s great foreign policy challenge is balancing its relations with the great powers, US and China – particularly given tensions over the South China Sea. This balancing act will be a key part of Australia’s foreign policy white paper, to be released later this year.

“Australia must do what it can to help relieve military tensions between the US and China – and other parties – in the region,” Oliver said. “Actual conflict would be disastrous for Australia and the region.

“Secondly, Australia needs to diversify its economic relationships. It is unhealthy for Australia to rely so heavily and singularly on one economic partner – particularly one which differs so much from Australia culturally and politically. Having an economy less heavily dependent on China for our prosperity will make hard security decisions easier when they arise.”

The executive director of the Lowy Institute, Michael Fullilove, said that despite concerns over their safety and the direction of the world, Australians remained outward-looking, supported migration and were committed to globalisation and Australian global engagement.

While most Australians (79%) feel safe overall, that figure is the lowest recorded since Lowy began polling, and down from 92% in 2010. Twenty-one per cent of Australians reported that they felt unsafe.

https://www.theguardian.com/australi...owy-poll-finds

Wouldn't surprise me to see Australian tourists to the U.S. be way down since his presidency.

[XDurionX]

Trump presidency gives EVERYONE a negative view of US.

[Cybran]

Trump presidency gives EVERYONE a negative view of US.

It improved my view of Americans.

[KrazyK923]

Pretty sure Trump gives every country a negative view of the US. We elected a toddler in a perpetual temper tantrum.

[majesta]

Oh it's another thread from this guy. Honestly I stopped caring what other countries thought of America after 9/11. If they hate us big deal. If they like us, cool. If you try to attack us, try to destroy us, we will turn your place into a crater.

As for tourists, whatever. America is still a better choice than a lot of other destinations.

[Freighter]

It improved my view of Americans.

How is that even possible?

[Deleted]

The politics forum is that way: http://www.mmo-champion.com/forums/359-Politics

One would think you'd be able to find your way by now.

[Allybeboba]

I don't know why it would be detrimental to tourism too though. At least not in the long term. If someone truly wants to visit America they would. They wouldn't let their personal feelings for the PotUS get in their way.

[Calryn]

Oh it's another thread from this guy. Honestly I stopped caring what other countries thought of America after 9/11. If they hate us big deal. If they like us, cool. If you try to attack us, try to destroy us, we will turn your place into a crater.

As for tourists, whatever. America is still a better choice than a lot of other destinations.

but like .... we didn't even hurt saudi arabia .....

[Deleted]

Don't know if this is news to you but quite a lot of the rest of the world have a negative view on the USA, regardless of Trump.

[the game]

It's almost like we have a political subforum for this sort of thing.

[Calryn]

because the consensus now is that we don't like outsiders

[Tennis]

I don't know why it would be detrimental to tourism too though. At least not in the long term. If someone truly wants to visit America they would. They wouldn't let their personal feelings for the PotUS get in their way.

Given the rise in hate crimes and a President who has emboldened racists, you can see why.

[Grym]

1. I was fine with Trump taking presidency, in a way I like the idea of "we look after ourselves first, screw everyone else", I would like UK to take on that view too, and as the way things are going, look like we are.

2. Who cares about those hippies that just surf 24-7 by the beach anyway.

[Deleted]

Trump is a great man, he is making the ultimate sacrafice for humanity by uniting the entire world in hatred against America.

[Kaleredar]

Pretty sure most Americans agree

[Allybeboba]

Given the rise in hate crimes and a President who has emboldened racists, you can see why.

In general(naturally there exceptions), one must be a racist themselves to recognize one as a racist.

[Tennis]

In general(naturally there exceptions), one must be a racist themselves to recognize one as a racist.

This makes no sense.

[Pebrocks The Warlock]

Given the rise in hate crimes and a President who has emboldened racists, you can see why.

Yeah, these growing hate crimes committed by the Left would put off some people from coming here.

[Pterodactylus]

In general(naturally there exceptions), one must be a racist themselves to recognize one as a racist.

Thankfully, someone need not be an idiot to point out idiocy.