7 Shocking Reasons Why It Feels Like 'Every Country In The World Belongs To America' (And Why That's Changing In 2025)

The claim that "every country in the world belongs to America" is a hyperbolic geopolitical statement—not a literal truth—but one rooted in a post-World War II global architecture where the United States established itself as the sole, indispensable superpower. As of late 2024, the structural pillars of American influence remain formidable, encompassing military reach, economic control, and cultural ubiquity that touches nearly every corner of the globe. This perception of near-total ownership is a direct result of decades of strategic policy, military alliances, and the unparalleled global role of the US Dollar. However, the world order is not static. The narrative of unquestioned US dominance is currently facing its most profound challenge since the Cold War. Geopolitical shifts, particularly the expansion of economic blocs like BRICS and intensifying efforts toward de-dollarization, are creating a new, more fragmented, and multipolar reality. Understanding the claim requires a deep dive into both the enduring mechanisms of American power and the new forces actively working to dismantle it.

The Enduring Pillars of US Global Hegemony

The perception that the world "belongs" to the US is built on three unshakeable pillars of power: military, economic, and cultural. These mechanisms grant the United States an extraordinary level of influence over the internal and external affairs of sovereign nations.

1. The Unrivaled Global Military Footprint

The sheer scale of the US military presence ensures a global security umbrella, which, depending on the perspective, is seen either as a guarantee of stability or an instrument of coercion. * The Base Network: The US controls an estimated 750 to 800 military base sites in approximately 80 foreign countries and territories. This network provides rapid deployment capability across every major continent, from Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti to the massive presence in Germany and Japan. * Defense Spending: The US military budget is unrivaled, exceeding the combined defense spending of the next 10 countries in the world. This financial dominance allows for the continuous development of next-generation weaponry and the maintenance of a naval presence across all critical maritime trade routes. * NATO and Security Alliances: Through alliances like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the US dictates much of the collective security policy for major European powers, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Similar bilateral and multilateral treaties bind countries in Asia (e.g., South Korea, Australia, the Philippines) to US strategic interests.

2. The 'Exorbitant Privilege' of the US Dollar

Economic control is arguably the most pervasive form of American global power. The dominance of the US Dollar ($) in global finance grants the US an "exorbitant privilege"—a unique ability to borrow cheaply and influence international trade. * Global Reserve Currency Status: As of late 2024, the US Dollar comprised approximately 58% of disclosed global official foreign exchange reserves. This status means that central banks worldwide must hold vast quantities of dollars, tying their economic stability to US fiscal and monetary policy. * Dominance in Global Trade: Roughly 80% of all international trade invoicing is done in US Dollars, including the majority of oil transactions (the 'petrodollar' system). This forces virtually every major corporation and nation to transact in the US currency. * Financial Sanctions Power: The US Treasury Department's ability to impose sanctions, often leveraging the global SWIFT banking network, allows it to effectively cut off targeted individuals, companies, or entire nations (like Iran or Russia) from the international financial system. This financial weapon is a potent tool of foreign policy, illustrating a form of extraterritorial financial control.

3. The Soft Power and Cultural Hegemony

Beyond the hard power of the military and the financial power of the dollar, American culture and technology act as a pervasive soft power that shapes global aspirations and consumption. * The Silicon Valley Ecosystem: US-based technology companies—Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta (Facebook)—dominate global digital infrastructure. These platforms control the flow of information, commerce, and social interaction for billions of people, giving the US regulatory and commercial influence that transcends borders. * Hollywood and Media: American media, from Hollywood films and Netflix shows to global music exports, sets cultural trends and often defines global standards of entertainment. This cultural ubiquity is a powerful form of ideological influence, promoting the 'American Dream' and consumerist values worldwide. * Higher Education and Research: US universities (e.g., Harvard, MIT, Stanford) remain the gold standard for global elites, attracting the best talent from every country. This 'brain drain' ensures that future leaders, innovators, and policymakers worldwide are often educated in the US system, internalizing American perspectives and values.

The Great Global Rebalancing: Why the World is 'Buying Back'

Despite the overwhelming evidence for US dominance, the claim that "every country in the world belongs to America" is increasingly inaccurate. A profound geopolitical rebalancing is underway, driven by rising economic powers and a desire among many nations for a multipolar world order.

4. The Rise and Expansion of the BRICS Bloc

The BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) has transformed from a loose economic forum into a significant geopolitical counterweight to the US-led G7 nations. * 2024 Expansion: The bloc's expansion in early 2024, which formally welcomed new members like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia, dramatically increased its global heft. * Economic and Demographic Power: The expanded BRICS now represents a far greater share of the world's population and global GDP than before, giving it stronger leverage to create new alliances and economic partnerships that explicitly challenge Western-centric institutions. * Alternative Institutions: BRICS is actively developing parallel financial structures, such as the New Development Bank (NDB), to offer alternatives to the US-dominated World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

5. The De-Dollarization Movement

A core component of the challenge to American hegemony is the effort to reduce the global reliance on the US Dollar—a movement known as de-dollarization. * Declining Reserve Share: While still dominant, the dollar's share of global foreign exchange reserves has gradually declined, dropping from around 65% a decade ago to approximately 58% in 2024. This trend reflects central banks diversifying their holdings into currencies like the Euro and the Chinese Yuan (CNY). * Bilateral Trade in Local Currencies: Key nations, notably China and Russia, are aggressively promoting bilateral trade agreements settled in their national currencies (Yuan and Ruble) instead of the dollar. India is also exploring similar mechanisms with its trading partners. * SWIFT Alternatives: Efforts among BRICS members to increase the use of their own currencies in global payments and explore alternatives to the SWIFT system are gaining traction, with core BRICS currencies' share in SWIFT payments reaching 6.4% in 2024.

6. The Geopolitical Challenge from China and Russia

The most direct and significant challenges to the US-led order come from two major powers: * China's Economic Might: China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a massive global infrastructure project that extends its economic influence deep into Asia, Africa, and Latin America, offering an alternative development model to the one promoted by the US. China's rapid technological and economic growth is steadily eroding the US's lead in key sectors. * Russia's Strategic Contestation: Russia actively contests US influence, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, often through energy leverage and strategic military operations. Both Russia and China are united by a common goal of establishing a multipolar world where the US does not hold ultimate authority.

7. The Erosion of American Exceptionalism

The concept of "American Exceptionalism"—the belief that the US is inherently unique and holds a special role among nations—is being tested by internal and external factors. * Domestic Dysfunction: Issues such as political polarization, economic inequality, and frequent government shutdowns are frequently highlighted by international media, eroding the image of the US as a stable, exemplary global leader. * Foreign Policy Backlash: Controversial foreign policy decisions and perceived unilateralism have generated significant anti-American sentiment in various regions, prompting countries to seek greater strategic autonomy. This backlash is a key driver for the creation of alternative geopolitical and economic arrangements. The claim that "every country in the world belongs to America" captures the very real, deep-seated dominance the United States has enjoyed for over half a century. However, the global landscape of 2025 is defined by a dynamic struggle between the remnants of this unipolar American order and the emerging reality of a multipolar world. While the US remains the single most powerful nation, its ability to dictate terms to every country is diminishing as new economic, military, and cultural centers of power emerge.