As the US retreats, China will boost its soft power.

• The US has been withdrawing from key international commitments under President Donald Trump, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Agreement.

• China has been advancing its global position through financial aid and investments across continents.

• The 78th World Health Assembly approved the WHO’s budget without the US’s participation, accusing the WHO of being biased towards China and mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic.

• China has committed an additional $500 million over the next five years and increased its membership dues to the WHO.

• China’s share in the WHO’s total assessed payments more than doubled post the pandemic, from 6.5% in 2015-16 to 15% in 2024-25.

• The US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the US withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have left a significant void in the WHO.

• China is the world’s largest debt collector, with its share in bilateral global debts owed rising from around 1% until 2003 to 26% in just two decades.

• China’s influence is impacting attitudes towards the US, with over 60% of respondents across 21 countries believing that China influences their economy by a great deal or by a fair amount