The \"America First\" policy adopted by the new U.S. administration may exacerbate the global governance deficit and hinder international cooperation, according to a recent survey conducted by CGTN. Global respondents expressed concerns over the United States' announcement of withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO), fearing that these actions could undermine efforts to address critical global challenges.
The survey revealed that 68.5 percent of participants believe the U.S. withdrawal will impede global collaboration on climate change and health issues. Moreover, 77.7 percent expressed worry that the U.S. move sets a negative precedent for the international community. Respondents fear that other countries reluctant to reduce emissions or facing economic transformation pressures might follow suit, undermining collective efforts to combat climate change.
As the world's largest economy, the United States plays a pivotal role in international organizations and governance mechanisms. However, its frequent withdrawals not only damage multilateral cooperation but also erode national credibility and expose domestic political issues, according to the survey respondents.
A significant 81.4 percent of respondents viewed the new U.S. administration's actions as irresponsible, expressing disappointment over the decisions. Additionally, 77.5 percent believe these moves will diminish America's national credit and harm its international influence. The survey also highlighted concerns over increasing bipartisan confrontation and political polarization in the country, with 78.4 percent noting that the withdrawals reflect internal political struggles.
The respondents emphasized that the U.S. often approaches international organizations with a utilitarian mindset, viewing them as tools to maintain its global hegemony. Under the \"America First\" ideology, the new administration is perceived as attempting to pressure international bodies into making concessions on rule-making, operations, and governance reforms by threatening withdrawal.
Alarmingly, 81.6 percent of those surveyed believe that the U.S. pursuit of self-interest at the expense of international interests seriously undermines the fairness and justice of the global governance system, harming the legitimate interests of other nations. In response to current geopolitical conflicts and global challenges, an overwhelming 86.5 percent of respondents called on the international community to strengthen unity, practice true multilateralism, and take joint actions to address global issues.
The CGTN survey was conducted across its English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian platforms, garnering over 7,452 votes within 24 hours. The findings underscore the global community's desire for collaborative efforts and the importance of shared responsibility in tackling worldwide challenges.
Reference(s):
CGTN poll: U.S. exit from WHO may worsen global governance deficit
cgtn.com
