In a poll of 2009 Australians, conducted before the weekend's disastrous White House event with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, 31% rated Trump the greatest threat to world peace, compared to Russian President Putin (27%) and Chinese President Xi (27%). 15% were unsure.
Almost half (49%) said they felt less secure since the election of President Trump. 17% feel more secure.
Respondents were asked if they thought Australian interests would be better served by a closer alliance with the United States or a more independent foreign policy.
44% said they'd prefer a more independent foreign policy. 35% would prefer a closer alliance with the United States.
The research also found:
- 56% of women feel less secure since the election of Donald Trump
- 53% of Baby Boomers, 51% of Gen Xers, 44% of Millennials and 45% of Gen Zers say they feel less secure since the election of Donald Trump
- 48% of Labor voters would prefer a more independent foreign policy, while 30% would prefer a closer alliance with the US. Among Coalition voters, 49% would prefer closer ties with the US and 34% would like a more independent foreign policy
"This is a potentially seismic shift in Australian thinking about America," said Dr Emma Shortis, Director of the International & Security Affairs Program at The Australia Institute.
"One in three Australians now view the leader of our most important security ally as a bigger threat to world peace than the leaders of the world's two most powerful authoritarian states.
"This is not limited to Australia. For example, nearly half of all Danish voters see the United States as a greater threat than North Korea or Iran.
"The United States' traditional allies are looking on with trepidation and sadness.
"The collapse of democracy and the rule of law in the United States is in no one's interests."
