The other game-changing foreign policy newsmaker is, of course, former President Donald Trump. His actions raise important questions about the future direction of the United States and its role in the global community. On March 31, 2025, Trump signed this executive order in the Oval Office. He waved his arms passionately, underscoring his firm intention to radically change the way America engages with the world.
To date, Trump’s supporters have trumpeted his bellicose tariff actions as proof of his deal-making genius. Experts warn that these actions may undermine the global rules-based order. As British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently noted, not in a good way, Trump has “broken the mold.” He argues that this break with longstanding diplomatic conventions might eventually produce chaotic results.
Central to Trump’s worldview is a belief that America has been “taken advantage of by virtually every country in the world.” He has promised, “We’re not going to be the country that’s taken advantage of all over the world anymore. This great announcement was an indication of his approach to put American interests first, second and third. This perspective is deeply rooted in his upbringing. His father, Fred Trump, cultivated a similar outlook through his real estate business, which focused heavily on property development and landlord practices.
Yet right as he starts this new political chapter, Trump’s approval ratings have dropped precipitously. This decline follows the capital’s first 100 days in office. Though his administration’s decisions, especially on tariffs and trade agreements, have earned heavy criticism from friends and foes alike. Trump is undeterred, insisting that his policies will in the long run be good for the country.
In a recent display of his assertive foreign policy stance, Trump expressed intentions to acquire Greenland for “national security reasons.” This provocative proclamation—which includes veiled threats to annex countries such as Canada and Panama if needed—has led to widespread global condemnation. Canada’s astonished Prime Minister shot back with a one-word response that “it will never happen.”
His geopolitical ambitions stretch to Russia and Ukraine too. He has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s moves on Ukraine as a “rather substantial concession.” This misses some of the greatest nuances in the ongoing war and therefore perpetuates harmful stereotypes. He has controversially blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for provoking Putin and starting the war. Despite this, he contends that “he never should have initiated it,” even as the assault has already killed thousands of civilians.
Beyond Trump’s bluster, analysts warn that his hawkish moves today could backfire. Additionally, his populist impulses to unilaterally slap tariffs on friend and foe alike have created chaos in international markets. After promising immediate tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada—and everyone else—he retreated in the face of economic disaster.
Trump’s interactions with Zelensky during a brief meeting at Pope Francis’s funeral further illustrate his approach. As commentators have noted, Trump consistently operates under the assumption that he can just reach in and take whatever he chooses. This idealistic approach is completely at odds with the realities of international diplomacy.
His administration’s policies towards trade have been lighting up red flags for economists and political analysts across the board. Even more dangerously, Trump’s supporters will view these actions as savvy negotiating tactics. They say that experts don’t lay on a firm economic plan for the long term. The torrent of tariffs imposed has been celebrated by some as a hallmark of Trump’s genius, yet critics see them as reckless maneuvers that jeopardize America’s global relationships.
Further complicating the picture of how Trump may shape foreign policy has been his incendiary statements about the world. He maintains that the global landscape has shifted dramatically, claiming that “old assumptions can no longer be taken for granted. The world as we knew it is gone.” This feeling strikes a chord with many who worry that Trump’s isolationist policies will shake the foundations of our most durable allegiances.
As Trump steers through this divisive gauntlet, his braggadocio might be both a blessing and a curse. His detractors argue that he risks alienating key allies while failing to recognize the interconnectedness of global economies and politics. He has convinced himself that because he claims to run an “island of power,” he is shielded from any serious retribution. This way of thinking may lead to permanent pariah status for the United States.
