Soft power has always been one of America’s best diplomatic tools. International enthusiasm for our culture and our political system has helped us provide leadership in innumerable situations that cannot be resolved by economic or military power. Even our military leaders would accept that proposition.
Donald Trump does not, however. His determination to be disliked by the entire world (outside of Israel and Saudi Arabia) and to destroy public confidence in our political system is damaging our credibility throughout the world. As a result, a recent poll shows that Putin is trusted to do the right thing more than he is.
I’m guessing he thinks soft power is only for girly men. Tell that to Xi.