Part 6/9:
Beyond the economic stand-off, polling data underscores the deeper trust issues. A recent survey reveals that only 40% of Americans trust their government, compared to Saudi Arabia and China, where trust levels are much higher due to controlled narratives and lack of press freedom.
Similarly, press freedom in China is severely restricted, and citizens are unlikely to be informed about government actions, trusted instead to accept state-controlled messaging. This stark contrast in trust and information control further complicates efforts toward diplomatic resolution.