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Quad countries view Trump’s second term
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- Quad countries foreign policy
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- USSC Allies and Partners Poll 2025
- Quad and Taiwan invasion
- Militarising the Quad
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How Do the Quad Countries View Trump’s Second Term?
Insights from the USSC Allies and Partners Poll 2025
The return of Donald Trump to the White House has once again reshaped global political conversations — especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Among the most closely watching stakeholders are the Quad countries: the United States, Australia, Japan, and India.
In a recent episode of the USSC Briefing Room podcast, senior researchers from the United States Studies Centre (USSC) unpacked the findings of the Allies and Partners Poll 2025, offering rare insights into how public opinion across all four Quad nations views Trump’s second term, regional security, and the future of the Quad alliance itself.
This year’s poll is especially significant. For the first time, it includes all four Quad countries, allowing for direct comparison of public sentiment across these strategically aligned democracies.
So where do the Quad countries really stand on Trump 2.0, Indo-Pacific security, and potential conflict with China? Let’s break it down.
What Is the Quad and Why Does It Matter?
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is an informal strategic partnership between:
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇮🇳 India
Originally revived in response to growing concerns over China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific, the Quad focuses on:
- Regional security
- Freedom of navigation
- Economic cooperation
- Defense coordination
- Disaster response
While not a formal military alliance like NATO, the Quad plays a critical role in shaping the future balance of power in Asia.
USSC Allies and Partners Poll 2025: What’s New This Year?
Key Highlights of the 2025 Poll:
- First time India was included alongside the US, Australia, and Japan
- Comparative data across all four Quad nations
- Focus on Trump’s second term, China, Taiwan, and the Indo-Pacific
- Questions on militarising the Quad and collective defense
The poll offers a rare public-level perspective — not just elite or government views — on international relations.
How Do Quad Countries View Trump’s Second Term?
One of the central questions explored in the podcast was how Trump’s return to power is perceived across the Quad.
🇺🇸 United States: Divided but Decisive
In the US, public opinion remains deeply polarised:
- Supporters view Trump as strong on national interest and China
- Critics worry about alliance reliability and diplomatic unpredictability
Despite divisions, many Americans believe Trump’s tougher stance on China strengthens US leverage in the Indo-Pacific.
🇦🇺 Australia: Strategic Caution
Australians express mixed feelings about Trump 2.0:
- Strong support for the US alliance remains
- Concerns persist over Trump’s transactional approach to alliances
Australia values predictability, and while Trump’s hardline China policy aligns with Canberra’s concerns, uncertainty around long-term US commitment creates anxiety.
🇯🇵 Japan: Security First Mindset
Japan’s public places a high premium on security guarantees:
- Generally supportive of a strong US presence in Asia
- Some unease about Trump’s past criticism of alliance costs
However, many Japanese respondents see Trump as tough on China and North Korea, which resonates with Japan’s security priorities.
🇮🇳 India: Strategic Opportunity
India’s inclusion in the poll revealed unique insights:
- More positive perception of Trump compared to other Quad partners
- Seen as pragmatic and aligned with India’s China concerns
Indian public opinion reflects New Delhi’s strategic autonomy — supporting cooperation with the US while avoiding formal military entanglements.
Quad Countries and Indo-Pacific Security
Across all four Quad nations, there is strong agreement on one point:
👉 The Indo-Pacific is the most important strategic region in the world today.
Shared Concerns:
- China’s military expansion
- South China Sea tensions
- Taiwan Strait instability
However, the level of willingness to act militarily varies significantly.
Should the Quad Become a Military Alliance?
One of the most debated questions in the poll was whether the Quad should become more militarised.
Public Opinion Snapshot:
- US & Australia: Moderate support for deeper military cooperation
- Japan: Cautious but increasingly open due to regional threats
- India: Strong preference for non-alliance cooperation
This highlights a core challenge for the Quad — balancing security cooperation without formalising a military bloc that could escalate tensions.
Would Quad Countries Support Defending Taiwan?
Another critical question addressed was support for sending forces to Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.
Key Findings:
- Public support exists but is far from unanimous
- Japan shows higher concern due to geographic proximity
- Australia and the US show conditional support
- India remains the most hesitant
This reflects the high stakes and risks associated with direct military conflict with China.
How Has Trump 2.0 Changed US Relationships?
Trump’s second term has already begun reshaping diplomatic dynamics:
Positive Shifts:
- Clearer stance on China
- Emphasis on burden-sharing
- Increased pressure for regional self-reliance
Ongoing Concerns:
- Alliance predictability
- Diplomatic tone
- Long-term commitment
For Quad partners, Trump 2.0 is seen as both a strategic opportunity and a risk.
Similarities and Differences Among Quad Countries
Where They Agree:
- China is the primary strategic challenge
- Indo-Pacific stability is critical
- Quad cooperation is valuable
Where They Differ:
- Military intervention thresholds
- Formal alliance structures
- Domestic political constraints
These differences don’t weaken the Quad — but they do shape how fast and how far it can evolve.
Why This Poll Matters in 2025
The inclusion of India makes this poll a landmark study. For the first time, analysts can compare public opinion across the entire Quad, not just its Western and East Asian members.
It shows that:
- The Quad has strong public legitimacy
- There is cautious support for deeper cooperation
- Full militarisation remains controversial
Most importantly, it reveals how public opinion may limit or enable government action in future crises.
Final Thoughts: The Future of the Quad Under Trump
Trump’s second term has reintroduced uncertainty — but also clarity.
While publics across the Quad don’t agree on everything, they share a belief that:
- Cooperation is necessary
- China’s rise must be managed
- The Indo-Pacific’s future is at stake
The Quad’s strength lies not in uniformity, but in shared purpose with diverse approaches.
As Trump 2.0 unfolds, the Quad will remain a central pillar of regional strategy — shaped not just by leaders, but by the people they represent.