He has limitless ambition. It also begs the serious question, "Where will the planet end up under the leadership of this chaotic and vengeful president?" and smacks of hazardous hubris.
In a recent interview with "The Atlantic," Trump unveiled his strategy for achieving worldwide supremacy. He claimed to have gotten rid of the "crooked guys" and probes that had plagued his first term. "I run the country and the world the second time," he continued.
The president is trying to change both American society and the American-led international political and economic structures that have consolidated Washington's dominance since World War II.
After 100 turbulent days since retaking the Oval Office, he is without a doubt the most well-known person in the world. Neither the US's allies nor its adversaries can predict what he will do next. In the current MAGA foreign policy period, it can be challenging to distinguish between the two. Trump has a hand in every global pie, from Gaza to Rome, from Moscow to New Delhi.
The president may infuriate a lot of foreigners. They can't ignore him, though. For a commander-in-chief whose life has been a pursuit of fame, that must be particularly pleasant.
Trump's brag has some merit.
The president may infuriate a lot of foreigners. They can't ignore him, though. For a commander-in-chief whose life has been a pursuit of fame, that must be particularly pleasant.
Trump's brag has some merit.
According to Majda Ruge, a senior policy fellow at the United States program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, the top official has enormous authority due to the realities of America's worldwide role.
Speaking from Brussels, Ruge stated, "Take Ukraine, which is on the borders of the European Union – it's practically a European issue, but the fact is that Europeans are not able to continue supporting Ukraine to the extent that is needed for Ukraine to actually advance on the battlefield without American intelligence, military support, and American nuclear deterrence."
Returning to the adage, "I run the world," Ruge stated that there is validity to it due to America's significant influence on international politics and foreign policy.
Speaking from Brussels, Ruge stated, "Take Ukraine, which is on the borders of the European Union – it's practically a European issue, but the fact is that Europeans are not able to continue supporting Ukraine to the extent that is needed for Ukraine to actually advance on the battlefield without American intelligence, military support, and American nuclear deterrence."
Returning to the adage, "I run the world," Ruge stated that there is validity to it due to America's significant influence on international politics and foreign policy.
However, the question is whether he is truly steering it in a productive path as opposed to one that is disorganized and erratic. Secondly, is he really operating it strategically to get to his destination?
The old American approaches to foreign affairs, according to Trump's followers, only produced shame. They believe that Europe established oversized welfare states under America's generous military cover, and they recall two lost wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The old American approaches to foreign affairs, according to Trump's followers, only produced shame. They believe that Europe established oversized welfare states under America's generous military cover, and they recall two lost wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Many are turned off by the president's bombast. However, he frequently poses relevant queries. Did the United States' two decades of economic involvement with China, for example, ruin American industry and only buy a rival powerhouse for the twenty-first century? And shouldn't Europeans be addressing their own defense now, 80 years after Nazism was defeated and 3 1/2 decades after the Soviet Union collapsed?
The issue is that Trump's strategy for answering these queries runs the risk of jeopardizing the stability and security of the world he claims to govern.
The issue is that Trump's strategy for answering these queries runs the risk of jeopardizing the stability and security of the world he claims to govern.
The dangers of Trump's erratic behavior
There are currently no encouraging indications regarding Trump's foreign policy intentions, particularly in light of his trade conflicts that have shook international markets and have no apparent end in sight.
However, his unconventional strategy could be able to discover a solution to the conflict in Ukraine that a more conventional US president would overlook. He is undoubtedly deserving of some recognition for his regular bowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin. And in an attempt to avert the terrifying possibility of US military attacks, he is looking for another nuclear agreement with Iran after destroying the previous one during his first term.
However, it appears that Trump's highly individualized and erratic approach to the world is more likely to fail.
There are currently no encouraging indications regarding Trump's foreign policy intentions, particularly in light of his trade conflicts that have shook international markets and have no apparent end in sight.
However, his unconventional strategy could be able to discover a solution to the conflict in Ukraine that a more conventional US president would overlook. He is undoubtedly deserving of some recognition for his regular bowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin. And in an attempt to avert the terrifying possibility of US military attacks, he is looking for another nuclear agreement with Iran after destroying the previous one during his first term.
However, it appears that Trump's highly individualized and erratic approach to the world is more likely to fail.
As a builder, the president gained notoriety. However, he excels at demolishing things. Furthermore, it is scarcely statesmanlike to swoop down into the heart of world events and use social media explosions to delve into the minds of hundreds of millions of people. He is also not imagining exorbitant tariff costs.
Trump runs the risk of undermining US power rather than strengthening it.
Foreign countries are being forced to quickly reassess their relationship with the United States as a result of his bullying. With higher stakes, they must make the same decision as US media executives, CEOs, and institution presidents: do they support or oppose the country's new monarch?
Trump runs the risk of undermining US power rather than strengthening it.
Foreign countries are being forced to quickly reassess their relationship with the United States as a result of his bullying. With higher stakes, they must make the same decision as US media executives, CEOs, and institution presidents: do they support or oppose the country's new monarch?
However, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, attempted to oppose Trump and was expelled from the White House following a publicly humiliating performance.
Furthermore, the need to sever ties with Washington due to Trump's tariffs and demands that it become the 51st state dominated the recent election in Canada, one of America's closest allies.
According to Ian Lesser, a distinguished fellow and advisor to the president of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, "the president and those around him feel they have greater freedom of action today." That includes avoiding the need to consider the opinions of conventional allies. It can lead to success. However, it also carries systemic hazards.
Furthermore, the need to sever ties with Washington due to Trump's tariffs and demands that it become the 51st state dominated the recent election in Canada, one of America's closest allies.
According to Ian Lesser, a distinguished fellow and advisor to the president of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, "the president and those around him feel they have greater freedom of action today." That includes avoiding the need to consider the opinions of conventional allies. It can lead to success. However, it also carries systemic hazards.
Because Trump sees longstanding American allies as freeloaders, one of those risks is the disintegration of relationships that have supported US power and goodwill for decades.
He has never concealed the fact that he would prefer sit down with despots like Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he views as strongmen in his own image, than with the heads of allies who have fought alongside the US to defend democracy and freedom.
He has never concealed the fact that he would prefer sit down with despots like Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he views as strongmen in his own image, than with the heads of allies who have fought alongside the US to defend democracy and freedom.
The "social Darwinism" of Trump
Trump's foreign policy moves frequently appear impulsive and poorly considered, but his aspirations for a second term have a more distinct ideological foundation. For countries that have historically depended on the United States, it's simply not a very appealing option.
Two German foreign policy specialists contend in a recent article in the journal Internationale Politik Quarterly that Trump's actions demonstrate a consistent worldview rather than being those of an unpredictable or "short-tempered hothead."
Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, a former adviser to the German presidency who currently leads the German Council on Foreign Relations, and former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel remarked, "Trump knows neither friends nor enemies, he knows only strength or weakness." Trump "thrives in a world of social Darwinism," they contend.
Trump's foreign policy moves frequently appear impulsive and poorly considered, but his aspirations for a second term have a more distinct ideological foundation. For countries that have historically depended on the United States, it's simply not a very appealing option.
Two German foreign policy specialists contend in a recent article in the journal Internationale Politik Quarterly that Trump's actions demonstrate a consistent worldview rather than being those of an unpredictable or "short-tempered hothead."
Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, a former adviser to the German presidency who currently leads the German Council on Foreign Relations, and former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel remarked, "Trump knows neither friends nor enemies, he knows only strength or weakness." Trump "thrives in a world of social Darwinism," they contend.
If this is true, then the United States has lost one of its foundations of power.
The nation that once stood as a bulwark of stability and guided the West in defeating Nazism and communism is now the most volatile political power in the world.
It's unlikely that Trump is the geopolitical chess master he thinks he is. His tariff spat with China understated Beijing's arrogance and resistance to compromise. (The leaders of China also aspire to global leadership.)
Ironically, Trump's strong attempts to wield US influence may cause him to fritter away significant US leverage areas.
The nation that once stood as a bulwark of stability and guided the West in defeating Nazism and communism is now the most volatile political power in the world.
It's unlikely that Trump is the geopolitical chess master he thinks he is. His tariff spat with China understated Beijing's arrogance and resistance to compromise. (The leaders of China also aspire to global leadership.)
Ironically, Trump's strong attempts to wield US influence may cause him to fritter away significant US leverage areas.
The two highly intertwined economies may decouple as a result of the US trade conflict with China. Customers in both countries may find that to be an unpleasant process. However, it might also eliminate one of the things that could prevent Beijing from occupying Taiwan: the fear that the Chinese economy would be destroyed by a US trade embargo during a conflict.
The United States may face a similar loss of influence in Europe.
The Atlantic alliance that has bolstered American dominance for generations may also be weakened if US partners fulfill their pledges to re-arm in response to concerns about future US assistance.
The United States may face a similar loss of influence in Europe.
The Atlantic alliance that has bolstered American dominance for generations may also be weakened if US partners fulfill their pledges to re-arm in response to concerns about future US assistance.
Additionally, Trump's strategy is eroding the confidence that friends had in Washington and reducing US non-military influence and power daily.
The president is reportedly considering recognizing Putin's unlawful land acquisitions in Greenland in addition to acknowledging them in Ukraine.
Additionally, he has overturned President John F. Kennedy's dictum that the United States leads by the power of its example rather than by the example of its strength. America's credibility may be permanently damaged by his contempt for human rights and the rule of law, his preference for autocrats over democratic leaders, and his elimination of foreign aid that saved the lives of millions of Africans.
Since Americans twice elected a president whose views they disagree with, many of their friends in the US are now questioning whether they really share the same ideals.
The president is reportedly considering recognizing Putin's unlawful land acquisitions in Greenland in addition to acknowledging them in Ukraine.
Additionally, he has overturned President John F. Kennedy's dictum that the United States leads by the power of its example rather than by the example of its strength. America's credibility may be permanently damaged by his contempt for human rights and the rule of law, his preference for autocrats over democratic leaders, and his elimination of foreign aid that saved the lives of millions of Africans.
Since Americans twice elected a president whose views they disagree with, many of their friends in the US are now questioning whether they really share the same ideals.
A number of US allies in Asia are beginning to reconsider their presumptions regarding US assistance in an increasingly Chinese-dominated region.
Fears that the US has other strategic interests and that its allies will have to fend for themselves have increased in Europe since Trump's return to office.
Speaking from Ankara, Lesser stated, "I believe that Trump's election victory has, in a sense, given a shove to history, and that a concern that had been in some sense theoretical or a long-term anxiety has suddenly turned into a near-term priority to address."
Trump may believe that he is in control of the globe right now, but he is most likely making it harder for presidents to do so in the future.
Fears that the US has other strategic interests and that its allies will have to fend for themselves have increased in Europe since Trump's return to office.
Speaking from Ankara, Lesser stated, "I believe that Trump's election victory has, in a sense, given a shove to history, and that a concern that had been in some sense theoretical or a long-term anxiety has suddenly turned into a near-term priority to address."
Trump may believe that he is in control of the globe right now, but he is most likely making it harder for presidents to do so in the future.