During President Trump’s second term campaign, he signaled a tough stance toward nations, even allies, perceived as exploiting America’s power. This shift has strained military alliances and prompted aggressive tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, sparking a trade war as these countries retaliated. Trump’s approach led to international leaders expressing concern, with the EU’s Kaja Kallas declaring the need for new leadership. His administration has seen military aid to Ukraine frozen and foreign assistance cut to various regions. Trump’s tactics have created uncertainty regarding his intentions, as he tries to appeal to his domestic base while navigating complex global relations.
During his campaign, President Trump was clear about his intentions for a second term: he would adopt a hardline stance against nations worldwide, including allies, whom he perceived as exploiting the economic and military strength of the United States.
The outcome—apparently unexpected by many global leaders—has led to deteriorating military alliances and increased tariffs targeting America’s closest neighbors.
The previous administrations’ alliance-focused foreign policy has been replaced. The initial weeks of Trump’s second term have created a dynamic of America positioned against the rest of the world.
“The free world needs a new leader,” Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief of foreign policy, expressed on social media after Mr. Trump’s confrontational meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine last week. “It’s our responsibility, as Europeans, to meet this challenge.”
Mr. Trump has instituted tariffs—25 percent on most imports from Canada and Mexico, along with two rounds of 10 percent tariffs on Chinese imports—claiming these measures are a consequence of their inability to halt drug trafficking into the U.S.
These actions have promptly ignited a trade war: China and Canada retaliated on Tuesday with their own tariffs on U.S. products. Mexico announced it would reveal its counteractions, including retaliatory tariffs, on Sunday.
The number of countries falling under Mr. Trump’s scrutiny continues to increase. He has derided Canada as the 51st state and labeled its Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, a “governor.” (As a result, Mr. Trudeau’s previously low approval ratings saw a significant uptick after being targeted by Mr. Trump.)
He has threatened to take control of the Panama Canal and annex Greenland from Denmark. Additionally, he has halted military assistance to Ukraine amid its struggle against a Russian invasion. Foreign aid benefiting countries across Africa, South America, and Asia has also been cut. Currently, tariffs have been imposed on China, Canada, and Mexico.
While some of his numerous threats may simply be that—either threats or negotiating strategies—Mr. Trump has demonstrated readiness to act decisively, especially regarding tariffs and foreign aid restrictions.
“This creates uncertainty, as it’s not always evident what constitutes a tactic and what is genuinely intended,” noted Nicholas J. Cull, a public diplomacy professor at the University of Southern California. “It leads to confusion, and I suspect a lot of foreign policy is being crafted for domestic audiences to win over supporters and maintain uncertainty.”
Currently, slightly more Americans express approval of Mr. Trump than disapproval in the early weeks of his second term, based on poll averages. He is set to deliver a joint address to Congress this evening.