Trump's Initial Centuries: Contending World Order Overhauled by "America First" President
In the wild, unpredictable first 100 days of his second term, President Donald Trump is wreaking havoc on the world stage with a series of moves that have left friends fuming and adversaries emboldened. From global tariff wars to embracing Russia's narrative on Ukraine's invasion, Trump is shaking up a rules-based world order that the U.S. helped establish after World War II.
Conservative Elliott Abrams, a former advisor to Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush, remarks that Trump has become more extreme since his first term – a surprise to Abrams. Trump's second-term "America First" strategy has alienated allies and empowered enemies while casting doubt on how far he's willing to go.
European countries are already feeling the impact, with some boosting their defense industries to cut their reliance on American weapons. The specter of U.S. partners cozying up to China is also growing as deteriorating relations play out.
At home, critics see democratic backsliding, with verbal attacks on judges, pressure tactics against universities, and brutality towards migrants. "What we're witnessing is a massive disruption in world affairs," says Dennis Ross, a former Middle East negotiator for both Democratic and Republican administrations. "No one knows what to make of it or what's coming next."
Reuters spoke to more than a dozen current and former government officials, foreign diplomats, and analysts to assess Trump's global shakeup. Many believe that, though some of the damage may be long-lasting, it might not be irreparable if Trump softens his stance. However, few expect him to do so, instead predicting that many countries will make enduring adjustments to safeguard themselves against Trump's impulsive policymaking.
Trump's policies have already triggered a reaction. Some European allies are seeking to bolster their defense industries, while debate is raging in South Korea about developing nuclear weapons. Speculation is mounting that strained relationships could prompt U.S. partners to move closer to China, economically at least.
The White House dismisses concerns about U.S. credibility, attributing them to what it calls the "feckless" leadership of former President Joe Biden. Trump's administration insists he is taking action to resolve issues plaguing Ukraine and Russia's war, stem the flow of fentanyl, protect American workers, and hold China accountable.
Trump's hardline approach has earned support from a significant portion of Americans, but more than half, including one in five Republicans, believe he is "too closely aligned" with Russia, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Experts warn that Trump's actions could spell the end of a global system primarily built and maintained under U.S. leadership since World War II. Trump's disregard for multilateralism, transactional dealings, and adversarial stance toward perceived rivals threaten to usher in an era of economic nationalism, unpredictable alliances, and power vacuums exploited by adversarial states.
Trump's unyielding policies could set the stage for a fragmented world order, marked by competing blocs and weakened collective action mechanisms. The long-term outcome could be a bifurcated world order, where collective action is replaced by competition between rival camps.
- The "America First" strategy of President Donald Trump in his second term has raised concerns among global leaders, especially in real estate, as it has led to the boosting of defense industries in some European countries, and debates on developing nuclear weapons in South Korea.
- The Trump administration's approach towards real estate and foreign policy has been met with criticisms, with some warning that it could lead to a recalibration of global relationships, such as European countries cozying up to China economically.
- The unpredictability of Trump's policy-and-legislation, coupled with his adversarial stance towards perceived rivals, has fueled warnings that his disregard for multilateralism could spell the end of a global system primarily built and maintained under U.S. leadership since World War II.
- In the world of car-accidents, crime-and-justice, and general-news, Trump's policies have triggered a reaction, with many countries seeking to safeguard themselves against his impulsive policymaking by making enduring adjustments.
- The White House's dismissal of warnings about U.S. credibility and the accusations of being too closely aligned with Russia have led to a division among Americans, with more than half, including one in five Republicans, expressing concerns about Trump's relationship with Russia.
- From war-and-conflicts to real estate, Trump's actions have cast doubt on how far he's willing to go, with some predicting that many countries will make lasting adjustments to protect themselves against his impulsive policymaking.
- Experts warn that Trump's firm policies could usher in an era of economic nationalism, unpredictable alliances, and power vacuums exploited by adversarial states, potentially leading to a bifurcated world order, where collective action is replaced by competition between rival camps.
