Philip Van Scheltinga, the director of research at Redfield and Wilton Strategies, said: “There is a strong sense among the American public that Joe Biden has been a weak president, including – or, perhaps, especially – on foreign policy. Voters feel like their country is not seriously addressing the threats it faces, namely China.
“Our polling makes clear that those who will vote for Trump want a stronger United States, with increased defence spending, a greater focus on the threat of China, and, critically, stronger allies.
“Few have picked up on it, but Trump has recently started using the slogan ‘Make America Powerful Again’ in his speeches. That pitch resonates with his voters and shows what could come from a future Trump presidency.”
In an interview with Nigel Farage this week, Mr Trump said his controversial comments about Nato were “a form of negotiation” and committed to remaining in the alliance if other countries increased spending.
Mr Biden has called his rival’s comments “un-American”, while Julianne Smith, the US’s ambassador to Nato, said that “encouraging the Kremlin to attack Nato allies is irrational and dangerous”.
The comments also prompted alarm in European capitals. David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, said talking down Nato allies was “not a sensible approach”.
The latest poll shows that the vast majority of voters in swing states support Nato, with around two thirds responding that the US should remain in the alliance. Between 13 and 16 per cent said the US should leave, with the remainder unsure.
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