Donald Trump is doing more than just throwing sand in the gears of traditional diplomatic norms. These destructive norms have long governed the way the United States treats its allies. Unfortunately, his recent actions and statements have inspired grave doubts. As the war continues on, many wonder whether the US can ever again be a dependable partner on the world stage. From threats to conquer Greenland to controversial remarks regarding NATO, Trump has demonstrated that the formal restraints designed to hold a US president in check are easily swept aside.
During a recent meeting with the Norwegian Prime Minister, Trump allegedly expressed his boredom with peace, indicating a desire for more aggressive foreign policies. This statement, along with his assertion that NATO allies were involved in Afghanistan—a comment perceived as disrespectful to the families of the 457 British service personnel who died in that conflict—has sparked outrage among international observers.
Trump’s former adviser, Steve Bannon, has described the administration’s strategy as “maximalist,” suggesting that Team Trump aims to push boundaries until external forces intervene. International gun Trump showed just how effective this move is by promptly re-holstering the economic gun he had aimed at countries like the UK. This move signals that the US is no longer a trustworthy partner—indeed, an enemy—to its onetime allies.
In one of the more inflammatory examples, Trump threatened Greenland, claiming a desire to purchase the autonomous territory. Even though he retreated soon after in the face of European leaders’ pressure, in his position there is an unmistakable defiance. Observers see little threat on the US political landscape to his ambitions in Greenland. They point out that this failure to counteract applies in other international spheres.
Trump’s launch of a “board of peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos did little to assuage concerns about his reliability as a diplomatic partner. Critics highlighted that the logo for this initiative resembled the United Nations emblem but was “except dipped in gold and edited so the world only includes America.” This bad, confusing and misleading visual has been read by most liberals as an indication of Trump’s focus on America first vs. collaborative, multilateral, globalist soft power diplomacy.
Moreover, Trump falsely accused the Norwegian Prime Minister of denying him a Nobel Prize, compounding his reputation for making unsubstantiated claims. Such statements chip away at the trust of allies and partners, and leave international leaders skeptical of the US’s commitment to building positive, cooperative relations.
Indeed, Trump’s done a pretty good job of proving that his administration has made the US a pretty untrustworthy actor. This change represents a sharp turn from the policies pursued by past administrations. This change could have long-term consequences for global partnerships and accords. The rhetoric surrounding Trump’s foreign policy suggests a departure from established diplomatic practices, which could potentially alter the global balance of power.