'China is the real winner': Trump's reversal in Ukraine aids Beijing, Western officials say

By embracing Russia and castigating Ukraine, President Donald Trump has rattled U.S. allies around the world, causing them to question if Washington is still a trusted partner.

Governments in Europe and democracies around the world are treating Trump’s actions and statements not as provocative posturing, but as an earthquake.

With American reliability in doubt, some European nations and other countries may seek alternative partners and markets, possibly in China, Bindenagel said.

“Senior officials in Japan, Australia, Indonesia and Thailand have told me that China is swooping in, offering to replace the United States as the partner of choice,” Green said.