Yasir Masood

 

This combination of pictures shows Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump (R). The U.S. President Donald Trump called Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator without elections" on February 19, 2025, stepping up his attacks as tensions soar between Kyiv and Washington. /CFP

Since taking office, Donald Trump's foreign policy has deviated from traditional diplomatic norms, straining relationships with key allies, particularly in Europe. His "America First" doctrine prioritizes unilateral action and transactional deals over multilateral cooperation, weakening Western unity and raising doubts about the U.S.'s commitment to collective security and democratic values.

One of the most striking examples of this shift is Trump's stance on Ukraine. While past administrations strongly backed Kyiv, Trump's skepticism toward U.S. involvement has alarmed allies. His public denouncement of President Zelensky as a "dictator" and claim that Ukraine "started the war" starkly contrast with long-standing U.S. policy.

Beyond Ukraine, Trump's overtures to Moscow and exclusion of European allies from key U.S.-Russia talks have heightened concerns about the reliability of American security commitments. European leaders, increasingly skeptical of U.S. leadership, are advocating for greater "strategic autonomy" and boosting defense spending. Trump's repeated criticism of NATO and questioning of Article 5 have further strained transatlantic trust, fueling broader concerns about the weakening of Western unity.

This erosion of alliances extends beyond Europe, contributing to the broader decline of multilateral institutions. By prioritizing strongmen and transactional deals over international norms, Trump's foreign policy has accelerated the erosion of the post-war global order. As multilateral institutions struggle, global challenges such as climate change and trade disputes remain largely unaddressed. With the U.S. stepping back from its role as a guarantor of stability, global distrust has intensified, highlighting the need for more inclusive frameworks to tackle these crises.

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and attends a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on February 17, 2025. /CFP

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and attends a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on February 17, 2025. /CFP

This transactional approach has not only deepened the transatlantic rift but also sidelined long-term strategic alliances in favor of short-term, self-serving deals. A striking example of this shift is his attempt to purchase Greenland, despite Denmark's objections, reducing international relations to isolated transactions rather than fostering broader global cooperation. This departure from traditional diplomatic practices, which prioritized stability and multilateral engagement, has sparked concerns about the future of U.S. global leadership, particularly in regions where American influence was once unquestioned.

Alongside his foreign policy, Trump's domestic political landscape has shaped global perceptions of the U.S. His approval ratings, which fluctuate with partisan divides, reflect the challenges of his leadership. While he enjoys strong support within the Republican Party, broader public opinion remains volatile. Although his approval rose during the early months of his second term, recent surveys, such as a Reuters/Ipsos poll from January 2025, show a decline, with approval at 45 percent and disapproval at 46 percent. This volatility underscores both his domestic challenges and the complexities of his international standing.

This domestic instability intertwines with global shifts. Sir Alex Younger, former head of MI6, noted the transition from a rules-based order to a "strongman" system, where global powers increasingly engage in transactional deals based on power dynamics. Under Trump, this shift has weakened the international systems that long supported U.S. leadership, diminishing the role of multilateral institutions and collective decision-making in favor of erratic, personalized diplomacy.

Despite the decline in his approval ratings, there are signs of stabilization in Trump's public support. A February 2025 SurveyUSA poll showed that 51 percent of Americans approved of his performance. However, this mixed result highlights deep divisions within the electorate. Controversial proposals, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico or ending birthright citizenship, have further polarized the nation, leaving Trump with a solid base but limited appeal among independents and moderates.

In conclusion, Donald Trump's presidency is redefining U.S. foreign policy and domestic politics, weakening traditional alliances and altering global power dynamics. As the U.S. faces unprecedented geopolitical and internal challenges, its global leadership will hinge on how effectively it navigates these evolving dynamics.

 

[Yasir Masood (PhD) is a Pakistani political and security analyst, broadcast journalist and strategic communication expert providing international relations insights for global media and think tanks.]