Experts say Trump’s actions weakening US soft power, warn of global …
New Delhi: Responding to the back-to-back tariff announcements and the way the Trump \administration is handling crucial global affairs, experts on Friday warned about damage to the US soft power across several regions and its implications for global security and alliances.
Speaking at the session on “State of the World” at the 9th Carnegie Global Technology Summit on Friday, they claimed that there is a decline in US soft power, which could have consequences for the country’s role in international alliances, global security, and its ability to shape future geopolitical outcomes—specifically in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region.
Lisa Curtis, a senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security, voiced concerns that the US approach to the Ukraine conflict might weaken its credibility in the Indo-Pacific. She argued that appearing weak in one region jeopardizes US influence elsewhere, potentially emboldening adversaries.
“Regarding the Indo-Pacific, there are reservations because of Trump’s equivocation on support to Ukraine. This will have an impact in the Indo-Pacific, and that would make our partners and allies feel that we are less reliable, and it could encourage our adversaries because it makes America look weak. You can’t show weakness in the face of military aggression in one region of the world and expect that to impact deterrents in another region,” Curtis said.
Bonnie S. Glaser, who leads the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, argued that the Trump administration’s policies contributed to a decline in American soft power.
“Actions of Trump’s administration are damaging US credibility and weakening American soft power. I can see how China is reacting to this, and they are trying to seize opportunities. They have been preparing for it for some time,” she said.
Meanwhile, Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation DB Venkatesh Varma discussed the broader geopolitical consequences, noting that both the US and Russia are recognising their roles as major powers once again, with their potential to influence global affairs if political will is aligned.
He added that the war in Ukraine has reached a stalemate, with neither side in a position to secure a decisive outcome, highlighting that the key factor shaping the outcome remains how the US would play its role as it has played historically.
“The US and Russia are rediscovering that they are big powers and they have tremendous leverage, provided that they have a political will to align issues. Ukraine is one part of the conversation. Russia, after three years of war, is too weak to win, and Ukraine is too strong to lose. The tipping factor is the driving force that the US had for decades and the nature of European Security ever since the end of the Cold War,” Varma stated.
The ninth Global Technology Summit (GTS), a joint venture with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, took place in New Delhi from April 10th to 12th, 2025. Public sessions were held on April 11th and 12th. The summit, themed “Sambhavna” (possibilities), explored how key and emerging technologies can foster economic growth and influence international relations, security, and global governance.
(with ANI inputs)
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