Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the global role of the US
Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the global role of the US

Summary/Abstract: Trump’s politics of unilateralism had thrown a lot of shade on the global role and leadership of the U.S even before the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is the first global crisis since the Cold War where the U.S. has not led the global response. On the other side, global actors like China and Russia, have been using pandemic as a strategic opportunity. Medical supplies donations and vaccine diplomacy have become very important tools for China and Russia to improve their global role and influence. These states have enlarged their influence in the Balkans, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific region and improved their position as global actors. The paper examines why the U.S. had lost its global role during the pandemic and what can Biden administration do to return global leadership. The author considers that Trump’s handling of the pandemic has created division and confusion rather than an effective strategy on a national and global level. The author concludes that embracing multilateralism of the Biden administration is a necessary step forward. Rejoining the WHO, cooperation with COVAX and Gavi, and Quad Vaccine Partnership can be right strategies for the revival of the global role and leadership of the U.S. in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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