Aussies increasingly regard US as ‘threat’: survey
More than 40 per cent of Australians consider the United States to be a “threat”, and put more trust in neighbouring nations than longtime allies, according to a new poll.
Only half of the Aussies canvassed in a YouGov survey, commissioned by the Australia Institute think tank, regarded historic ally America a “friend”.
Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese meet on the sidelines at the UN. Instagram
From the 1100 voters surveyed, 42 per cent viewed the US as a “threat”.
The question put to them defined a “threatening country” as one perceived with suspicion or caution.
The research, released on Thursday, also reveals two-thirds of One Nation voters see the US as a friend, with the Coalition closely trailing.
Labor voters are largely divided about the global superpower.
In contrast to how the US is regarded, virtually all Australians (97 per cent) perceive New Zealand to be a friend.
Regional neighbour Indonesia was rated ahead of the US by 14 per cent in the friend category.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. AP
Australians were also wary about other world powers, with 42 per cent regarding Russia as a threat, and 36 per cent perceiving China as one.
The research comes almost two years since Donald Trump was elected US president for a second term.
Since then, Australia and other traditional US allies have been the target of trade tariffs and upbraidings by Trump administration officials to hike defence spending.
Australia has also been criticised by the US government for a perceived lack of support in the Iran war, while its stance on social media regulation has also been a thorny issue in Canberra-Washington relations.
The director of the Australia Institute’s international and security affairs program, Emma Shortis, says the new poll shows Australian politicians and the public have starkly varying views about the US.
“Australians can see the Trump administration for what it is. These numbers reflect a global shift – the rest of the world is re-ordering itself in response. It’s time the Australian government adjusted its focus too,” she said.
“These numbers highlight the huge disconnect in Australian foreign policy. Most Australians no longer trust the United States.
“Our government, on the other hand, is behaving as if nothing has changed.”
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
