S. Koreans' Views of US Under Trump Hit Record Low
· tech-debate
The Fading Allure of the “Indispensable Ally”
Favorable views of the United States have plummeted to a 20-year low among South Koreans, with 55% holding unfavorable opinions, according to a recent Pew survey. This decline is not surprising, given the tumultuous nature of the bilateral relationship under Trump.
Despite the drop in favorability, 84% of respondents still consider the US their country’s most important security ally against North Korea. However, this lingering appreciation for the alliance’s strategic value coexists with declining trust and affection.
The survey’s findings are part of a broader trend: attitudes towards the US have deteriorated globally, with China enjoying improved favorability ratings in 25 out of 36 countries. This shift has led some to wonder whether South Korea is now more closely aligned with Beijing than Washington. While this may be an exaggeration, it is undeniable that Seoul’s relationships with both powers are at a crossroads.
The Trump presidency has been marked by tensions over tariffs, military costs, and immigration raids – all reflecting a more transactional US foreign policy approach. This shift in tone has been deeply felt in South Korea, where the perception is that America’s priorities have changed. James Kim, director of the Korea Program at the Stimson Center, notes that this change cannot be attributed to any single event but rather an accumulation of issues over time.
One notable example of this transactional approach was Trump’s 2020 demand for a 500% increase in Seoul’s contribution towards the cost of maintaining US troops on the peninsula. The subsequent furloughing of 4,000 South Korean civilian workers at US military bases only added to the sense of unease. This episode marked one of two nadirs in recent memory when unfavourable views of the US spiked – the other being the aftermath of the 2002 Yangju incident.
South Koreans understand that America’s national interest comes first and are willing to accept this as long as their own interests are protected. However, the question remains whether Washington has been consistent in its commitment to the alliance or simply taking Seoul for granted. David Shin, a South Korean finance professional who spent three years working in the US, believes that America’s handling of its relationships and partnerships has become more transactional and calculated.
The Pew survey’s findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers on both sides of the Pacific. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, alliances like the US-South Korea relationship will only grow in importance. However, if Seoul is to maintain its current level of trust and affection towards America, Washington must be willing to adapt and address the concerns that have driven perceptions to a 20-year low.
The test now lies ahead: can Trump’s successors repair the damage done during his tenure? Or has the alliance become too transactional for comfort? The fate of the US-South Korea relationship hangs in the balance, with Seoul’s continued regard for America as its indispensable ally uncertain.
Reader Views
- JKJordan K. · tech reviewer
The Pew survey's findings confirm what many in Seoul have been saying for years: the US under Trump has lost its allure. What's striking is how this decline in favorability coexists with continued reliance on the alliance as a security bulwark against North Korea. This seeming paradox highlights the challenges of recalibrating relationships built on decades of shared values and strategic interests. The question now is whether Seoul will continue to prioritize ties with Washington or shift its gaze eastwards, where economic opportunities and diplomatic overtures have created new avenues for cooperation – and competition.
- PSPriya S. · power user
The Pew survey's findings are a harbinger of deeper issues in the US-South Korea alliance. Beneath the surface of declining favorability lies a more profound concern: Washington's inability to navigate Asia's complex web of relationships without sacrificing strategic partnerships. Seoul's reliance on Beijing for economic and diplomatic support is unlikely, but it's clear that the US has ceded ground to China in terms of trust and affection. The real question is whether this trend is reversible under Biden, or if it's a permanent shift in the regional balance of power.
- TAThe Arena Desk · editorial
The latest Pew survey confirms what many have observed: South Korea's perception of the US has taken a significant hit under Trump. But what's striking is that despite this decline in favorability, Seoul remains wedded to the alliance's strategic value. It's a pragmatic relationship, not an emotional one – and policymakers on both sides would do well to acknowledge this. One critical aspect that's often overlooked is the impact of US economic policies on South Korea's fragile economy, particularly with regards to trade tensions and the looming threat of decoupling from China.