As Trump’s second presidential term unfolds, acceptance towards neo-colonial and imperialist powers, blithe indifference towards established international laws and excusing autocratic powers for their non-democratic nature, has become a norm. However, a defining factor of Trump’s recent foreign policy comes at the expense of alienating allies as Trump continues adopting a Machiavellian mindset whereby foreign relations are reduced to being ‘transactional’ as long as ends are justifiable similar to the republican style adopted during the era of Ronald Reagan. Unfortunately, his style of foreign policymaking risks alienating the liberal left, marginalised communities, climate activists, the Muslim community, not to mention European and NATO allies alike as his unpredictable ambitions set sail.
Increasing US-Russia rapport
Chance of a peace deal being brokered by the US under Trump seems to have kept European allies on edge given that cozying of relations between Trump and Putin may jeopardise a favourable peace and will force Ukraine to make multiple concessions by abandoning all leverage against Russia in its negotiations towards ending the war. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent speech claiming it was ‘unrealistic’ to regionthink Ukraine could win back its sovereign territory. This marks a U-turn in US support for Ukraine in its war against Russia but it does not appear surprising given the frosty relations between Trump and Zelenskiy whereby the former dubbed the latter a ‘dictator’ for not holding Ukrainian elections since 2022 with the Ukraininan president jabbing back at Trump for living in a Russian ‘disinformation space’. However this increasing rapport between a democratic state like US with authoritarian nations like Russia and even those in the Middle East is not unfamiliar under the Trump presidency.
This is seen by the example of while Trump has traditionally been characterised as an isolationist and has displayed reluctance to commit military troops abroad as seen during his first term but his nature as a contrarian remains.
As a statesmen to the largest democracy, a paradox lies in his claims of wanting to make Greenland, Canada and Panama Canal part of US territories which would inadvertently rely on military intervention, further alienating and agonising the democracies of the west. Undoubtedly it would reinforce US as an imperialist state and diminish its legitimacy in the global south and north as upholder of ‘freedom’; similar to his dealings in the Ukraine-Russian war play.
Trump Ultimatum on Gaza and Hostage Deal
Trump’s policy on Gaza and a ceasefire deal prior to the elections were elusive but February 10 marked a new episode whereby Trump informed US reporters that Palestinians would not have the right to return to Gaza after its reconstruction while urging Egypt and Jordan to take in the refugees instead. The US President continued that the failure of Egypt and Jordan to comply with such an ultimatum would risk both nations facing aid cuts by the US. Although King Abdullah in reaction has committed to taking in 2,000 sick Gazan children but has refrained from more despite meeting with Hegseth. This is because this arrangement threatens destabilising both nations’ national security and borders by creating a refugee crisis that would undermine the Palestinian cause that would be unacceptable to their citizens. Accepting displaced Palestinians would create an existential threat for these nations as it would threaten to destabilise the regimes by fueling extremism.
However, Trump’s ultimatum of treating US as a privileged nation who can whimsically decide the fate of other nations including the foreign policy decisions of their allies like Jordan risks alienating not just the Middle East but also establishes a sympathetic corner for China given it has adopted an opposing stance of favouring Palestinian statehood that aligns with respecting international law.
This risks creating a sense of disillusionment about US ideals, actions, and values amongst Southeast Asian countries; particularly Muslim-dominated Malaysia and Indonesia whose populous reject Trump’s stance on Israeli settler colonialism and violence. Not only has Trump communicated to Israeli PM Netanyahu on US giving a free pass to the latter in respect to hostage negotiations but reckless statements like if hostages are not returned by February 15, then canceling the deal and allowing ‘hell to break lose’ only encourages the boldness of Netanyahu in furthering his ambitions against Palestinians.
Trump’s view that Gaza is a prime location for a real estate bonanza and is up for grabs by Israeli settlers backed by US support is rooted in his past as a property developer and business tycoon. He claims to make Gaza the Riviera of the Middle East. Furthermore, a brazen form of US takeover of land in Gaza under Trump would potentially trigger and exacerbate another regional war as Iran’s proxies would renew their regional legitimacy. It also risks the disintegration of alliances between west-friendly Arab regimes harming US vested interests in the region.
Halting USAID and UNRWA
Trump alongside the support of billionaire Elon Musk has also called for halting foreign aid efforts, particularly the USAID and UNRWA. These maneuverers come in light to Trump’s executive orders calling for a ninety-day funding pause. Furthermore, the Republican dominated Senate introduced legislation in February calling for the transfer of the ‘Food for Peace Program’ currently under USAID to the US internal department of Agriculture. However, while the order of merging USAID into the state department remains pending, such likelihood under Trump’s presidency remains on the table given that the current status of USAID workers involve majority of them being transferred or being forced to take leave as their future position remains uncertain. The withdrawal from international aid organisations whereby US is the major donor is not only typical of Trump’s isolationist approach but risks de-escalating efforts to support democratic forces in poorer economies worldwide.
Critics argue that this is indicative of the US’ waning international influence as America risks losing not only its soft power status but sets a global precedence of foreign policy realism whereby ‘self-interested states’ remain in a more multi-polar world rather than a unipolar America-centric world.
Furthermore, on February 12, Republican candidate Ronny Jackson called for introducing a bill whereby President Trump’s executive order on banning funding United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) would be codified. This comes in contrast to how on the same day, a new US-Israel program calling for merging of emerging technologies and anti-tunelling programs were proposed showcasing the Trump’s foreign policy aims to disregard Palestinian sovereignity while supporting Israeli ambitions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Furthermore, Trump’s new administration also aims to sharply reduce cooperation with other leading international organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) further reducing the legitimacy and funding of key aid organisations.
Threatening Tariffs and Sanctions
Trump has threatened twenty-five per cent tariffs on its main neighbours Canada and New Mexico in return that both nations will secure the border and be pressured to carry out a crackdown on fentanyl trafficking and organised crime. It is worth noting that relations with China remain sour with Trump retaining the 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods to foster US domestic production in the trade war. However, while both nations have pledged to take action, Trump’s choice of words where he threatened a takeover of Canadian land and its merging into the Americas as the ‘fifty first’ state risks angering potential western allies as depicted by Trudeau’s response and shows the disregard and contempt of all forms of state sovereignty under Trump’s foreign policy. Furthermore, Trump has moved to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court hoping to undermine international support for the Palestinian cause.
Conclusively, Trump’s foreign policy prioritises aggressive unilateralism, transactional diplomacy, and a disregard for international norms. His actions risk alienating allies, weakening US global influence, and fueling geopolitical instability. As he reshapes alliances and institutions, the long-term consequences could redefine America’s role in a shifting world order.
The writer is our Editorial Assistant and international affairs analyst.
