被撕裂的美国软实力

Group 1: U.S. Soft Power and Global Influence - The U.S. has built its soft power post-World War II through political values, technological innovation, cultural appeal, and legitimate foreign policy, gaining significant influence in creating a new international order [1] - In the last decade, U.S. soft power has been severely impacted by the rise of unilateralism, protectionism, and cultural conservatism, leading to a decline in its international image and trust in its values and policies, particularly during Trump's presidency [1][2] - Trump's "America First" policy has led to a rejection of multilateralism, with the U.S. ranking lowest in support for multilateralism among 193 UN member states, which has resulted in a breakdown of international trade systems and supply chains [3][4] Group 2: Economic and Trade Policies - Trump's administration has adopted a confrontational approach to economic relations, exemplified by increasing tariffs, which has disrupted the multilateral free trade system and caused significant supply chain issues globally [3][4] - A Pew Research Center survey indicated that in 21 relatively affluent countries, 10 experienced a decline in favorable views of the U.S. by 6 percentage points or more, with Australia, Israel, South Africa, and Germany seeing the largest drops [4] - Trump's trade policies, including high tariffs, threaten the global trade system, which could lead to a decrease in demand for the dollar and weaken its value and credit [8][9] Group 3: Financial Stability and Dollar Credit - The U.S. has maintained financial hegemony through the dollar, which has been supported by its historical ties to gold and later oil, but this trust is now at risk due to increasing national debt and fiscal deficits [7][8] - The U.S. national debt has exceeded $36 trillion, with rising interest costs impacting the country's creditworthiness, leading to higher yields on U.S. Treasury bonds [8][9] - Trump's policies have contributed to a weakening dollar, with long-term Treasury yields rising above 4%, indicating market uncertainty and increasing risks to dollar credit [9] Group 4: Impact on Scientific Research and Education - Trump's administration has significantly cut funding for scientific research, with the National Science Foundation's new project funding dropping nearly 50% compared to the previous year, and the NIH's indirect costs being reduced from 40% to 15% [11][12] - The administration's focus on "useful research" has led to a decline in support for basic research, which is crucial for long-term innovation and competitiveness [12][17] - The reduction in federal funding has resulted in layoffs and program cuts at major universities, with institutions like Johns Hopkins and Harvard facing significant financial constraints [16][17] Group 5: Broader Implications for U.S. Soft Power - The ongoing conflict between Trump's administration and academic institutions reflects a broader ideological battle between conservative and progressive values, impacting the U.S.'s ability to attract and retain top talent in science and technology [15][17] - The erosion of support for scientific research and education under Trump's policies threatens the U.S.'s historical leadership in global science and technology, potentially diminishing its soft power [18]