Former President Donald Trump is grappling with increasing frustrations in his foreign policy initiatives as he navigates complex geopolitical landscapes. U.S. officials now express concern that China has not lived up to its pledges to calm the quarreling. This standoff became celebrated by Trump as the crowning achievement of his presidency. No wonder, then, that Trump continues to claim his legacy on the world stage. Unfortunately, the realities of international relations paint a picture very different from the hopeful pledges made by Mr.
During his campaign and presidency, Trump often boasted about his “very good relationship” with tyrants like Russian President Vladimir Putin. He played up his personal relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He was convinced that these relationships would be the secret to creating the solutions for some of the most entrenched geopolitical and economic issues. The results have fallen woefully short of what he’s hoped for.
The foundation of Trump’s “America First” doctrine lies in this conviction. He claims that the United States has been taken advantage of in international trade for the last 30 years. This misinformed view was what led him to start a trade war with China. His focus was on changing the direction of the nation’s policies to better serve the American people’s interests. As outlined in a series of new reports, China has fallen short on these commitments. Sadly, these concessions have sent the trade conflict back to square one.
Trump lost his trade war with the European Union at least on paper after blinking first. His strategy for foreign wars came under extreme fire from all sides. This was especially true during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the U.S. won the military campaign but could not win the peace.
There’s yet another complication lying in wait for Trump — the ongoing war in Ukraine. He’s still being brushed off by Putin, who’s ignoring U.S. demands to end the war, contrary to State Department efforts to find a peaceful resolution. As these tensions escalate, Trump’s previous claims about his skill at handling complicated relationships with foreign leaders are becoming harder to swallow.
Trump’s profound ignorance of Chinese politics has, perhaps ironically, proven to be another major stumbling block. His forecast of being able to negotiate favorable terms with Xi has not played out nearly as he expected. This disconnect comes as a huge red flag to his ability to adequately get on the ground with other world leaders and navigate the nuances of international diplomacy.
Additionally, Trump’s personal meetings with the world’s autocrats have been characterized by a vicious streak of personal humiliation. His behavior towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the oval office even drew widespread condemnation. Much the same can be said for his fiery rhetorical battles with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
As Trump seeks to broker peace in the Middle East, the ongoing Gaza conflict poses existential challenges for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In his first term, Trump made many extreme concessions to Netanyahu. Those concessions were not enough to attract the stability the region desperately needed. Trump’s ambition for an Iranian nuclear deal complicates Israeli military strategies, particularly as Israel considers striking Iranian reactors during a moment of perceived weakness.
Russian media has portrayed Trump as a “tough talker who always blinks and never imposes consequences.” This characterization kneecaps Trump’s image of strength and adds difficulty to his position on the world stage.
In a larger sense, the first four months of Trump’s presidency represented a slapdash approach to foreign relations. Tariff threats, warnings of empire building, and cuts to international humanitarian aid programs all demonstrate that international dynamics are complicated. These matters usually cut deeper than the one-sided judgments from the United States.
