U.S. Retreat from Global Commitments
- Under Trump, the U.S. exited major international agreements (e.g., WHO, Paris Agreement).
- The U.S. accused WHO of bias and demanded disproportionate financial contributions.
- It also withdrew funding from the UNFCCC and backed off climate finance commitments.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations , Global Order)
China’s Expanding Financial Footprint
- China pledged an additional $500 million to WHO over 5 years.
- Its share in WHO’s assessed contributions rose from 6.5% (2015-16) to 15% (2024-25).
- China now contributes the second-highest amount to WHO, trailing the U.S. (~20%).
Shift in Climate Financing Influence
- China’s share in UNFCCC core funding is now 17%, second only to the U.S. (22%).
- With U.S. retreating, China is poised to expand influence in climate governance.
Rise as a Global Creditor
- China has become the world’s largest bilateral lender, holding 26% of global bilateral sovereign debt (up from ~1% in 2003).
- In contrast, the U.S.’s share fell from 36% (1973) to 4% (2023).
- Strategic investments via Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and loans have entrenched China’s leverage in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Shifting Global Perceptions
- A 2024 Pew Research Center survey showed 60%+ respondents across 21 countries acknowledge China’s major economic influence.
- The Democracy Perception Index (2024) found:
- People in 76 out of 96 countries had a more favorable view of China than the U.S.
- Only 20 countries viewed the U.S. more favorably.
- Growing perception of China as a reliable global partner in contrast to the U.S.’s perceived unreliability.
Implications for Global Governance
- China is filling leadership gaps in multilateral institutions left by the U.S.
- Its strategy leverages soft power via financial aid, health diplomacy, climate action, and infrastructure.
- The quote by China’s Ambassador — “We have to adapt ourselves to multilateral organisations without the Americans” — highlights China’s pragmatic approach to leadership voids.
Conclusion
- The U.S.’s inward turn has created vacuums in global governance.
- China is not just catching up; it is actively recasting the global order through economic and diplomatic means.
- This signals a rebalancing of global power, with long-term implications for international norms and alliances.
