Daniel Wagner

Opinion | US must regain world’s trust after Donald Trump and earn right to global leadership

The US has been so busy for the past four years acting as a wrecking ball of the liberal world order it helped build that it is hard to imagine it will now become that beacon of light shining on a hill just because there is a new sheriff in town

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Why you can trust SCMP

US President-elect Joe Biden waves to supporters after speaking at a drive-in rally in Atlanta for Georgia Democratic Senate candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. Photo: AP

Daniel Wagner

Published: 4:00am, 17 Dec 2020Updated: 4:29am, 17 Dec 2020

There is a presumption among many in America and around the world that once US President-elect Joe Biden assumes office, the US will resume its global leadership role in areas ranging from foreign policy and diplomacy to foreign aid and humanitarian assistance.

That assumes, however, that America has the resources, capability and political will to dig out of the deep hole it finds itself in following four years of President Donald Trump. It also assumes China’s lead in many areas is not already insurmountable. Both sets of assumptions could prove to be mistaken.

While the US has been, and will continue to be, part of the solution to many of the world’s most pressing challenges, it can no longer claim to have a moral right to global leadership.

Some of the values it used to possess in abundance, and which have been hallmarks of American leadership since the end of World War II, disappeared from the forefront during the Trump era and are either lingering in the background or are seemingly nonexistent. Today, much of the world believes inequality, corruption and ineptitude are synonymous with America rather than freedom, justice and righteousness.

The partnership that has endured for generations between America and its many allies is on the critical list. The country’s allies now wonder whether America will be there for them in a time of need. Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Unesco and the UN Human Rights Council has raised questions about America’s commitment and leadership.

China’s willingness to step in and take up some of the slack that has resulted says as much about Washington’s self-imposed weakness as it does about Beijing’s fundamental strength. Many of the world’s capitals have become accustomed to looking to Beijing for leadership, rather than Washington.