The damage is done. Despite U.S. President Joe Biden‘s efforts to restore America’s image as a pillar and protector of the rules-based order, doubts about U.S. credibility and commitment persist.
And though his predecessor, Donald Trump, deserves considerable blame for the blemishes on this country’s international image, the fault is not his alone. Structural factors as well as Biden’s own policies have contributed to this situation. Worse, no single U.S. president or administration can fix it.
While Trump is typically seen as the instigator of this slide, in truth, questions about U.S. commitment and resolve predate his administration. In Japan, for example, Democrats have long been viewed as less committed to the bilateral alliance. The strength wielded by labor unions within the party prompted a fear that domestic economic concerns would prevail over security questions.
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