Editor's note: Alessandro Golombiewski Teixeira is a National Thousand Talent Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, and a professor of International Business at Schwarzman College in Tsinghua. He is a former special economic adviser to the president of Brazil and former minister of tourism, and minister of development, industry, and foreign trade of Brazil. He was also president of the World Investment Association – WAIPA. The article reflects the author's views, and not necessarily those of CGTN.

A majority of Americans now believe that U.S. President Donald Trump does not deserve a second term in the White House.

A recent poll conducted by TV broadcaster NBC and the Wall Street Journal has shown that his Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden, is ahead by a 51 percent margin compared to Trump's 40 percent. The same poll found that 71 percent of Americans think the country is "off on the wrong track."

Following several months of turmoil in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread anti-racism protests, the poll forms more tangible evidence of the challenge Trump faces in keeping his re-election plan alive. Instead of "Making America Great Again," the entirety of the American Dream is in jeopardy. Failure of the government to appropriately respond to the pandemic, which has resulted in a U.S. death toll in excess of 130,000, has led Americans to denounce the current administration as a "crisis of leadership." These failures are outlined below:

First is President Trump's inability to deal with domestic, complex political challenges. His handling of internal problems, from failing to reprimand the police officers responsible for the killing of George Floyd, sparking riots across America, to his decision to commute the sentence of long-time political confidant Roger Stone, and later attempting to sue the publishers of a book written by his niece explaining "how her uncle became the man who now threatens the world's health, economic security, and social fabric," has exposed Trump to direct criticism. These events have irreversibly damaged his public image even among his most ardent of supporters.

Second, the Trump administration's failed management of the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the U.S. into one of the worst social and economic crises in its history. President Trump's inaction during the early stages of the global pandemic when America was on the front foot, and later his slow and uncoordinated response to rising cases, all underlined by a denial of science and facts, has marched the American economy into free fall.

Instead, the administration has launched a campaign to shift the blame onto others. The result is that the GDP growth rate could fall by as much as 50 percent, American economists believe, with unemployment reaching as much as 30 percent.

A recent IMF analysis has projected a fall of 8 percent in GDP. The U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research has already announced the unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production, as well as its broad reach across the entire American economy, which warrants the designation of this episode as one of the worst recessions in history.

Third, Trump's doggedness in pursuing a trade war with China on top of the pandemic is adding immense pressure on the American private sector, which is reliant on global value chains and international trade. A report from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has pointed out that the trade disputes have had an immensely negative impact on American exports, dropping by nearly 30 billion U.S. dollars.

Fourth, severely weakened multilateral organizations are at threat by the very nation that was once their flag-bearer. President Trump has completely renounced the U.S.' position of global leadership by announcing the decision to sever all ties with the WHO. Other organizations, such as the UN and WTO, are undermined by his unceasing questioning and criticism. As the U.S. further removes itself from these organizations over their inability to shape the agenda as they once had, the vacuum will be filled by other countries, like China. This could be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

At the bilateral level, Trump has also implemented a policy of aggressive confrontation toward smaller countries such as Venezuela and Cuba. This has led to unnecessary conflict in Latin America, supported by Trump's two "watchdogs," the Brazilian and Colombian presidents.

Finally, countries and leaders have found themselves bullied or confronted by the U.S. in the name of "collective benefit" while displaying blatant self-interest.

Reports that Trump had attempted to buy exclusive rights to a coronavirus vaccine being developed in Germany triggered anger in Europe.

Meanwhile, placing pressure on the likes of China, Europe, Venezuela, Iran, and Mexico due to coronavirus handling, elections, sanctions or other behaviors doesn't align with U.S. interests, turning countries away from much needed global cooperation.

President Trump threatened UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other European leaders to shut Huawei out of their 5G networks.

A few days ago, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Todd Chapman accused China on social media of promoting the mass sterilization of Uygur women, following a retweet of a U.S. State Department report. This phony report post led Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Yang Wanming to state that Chapman has a "special mission, which is to attack China with rumors and lies."

The road to recovery will only be possible with careful, adaptive, and long-term planning implemented by current and future administrations. As Americans look to vote in a leader who can get their economy, country and lives back on track, the future of Donald Trump's position in the White House is hanging by a thread.

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