That’s because Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office fundamentally reshaped United States foreign policy. This step was a historic break from the diplomatic conventions of the last several decades. The new administration has blown apart the paradigms of historic alliances. This new reality brought with it an unprecedented degree of volatility, rending friends and foes alike unsure of what America’s place will be in the future. Despite the positive intention behind these changes, they have sent shockwaves around the world. They are pushing against the delicate peace that came in the wake of World War II.
Since taking office, Donald Trump has sparked one terrible policy after the other. These moves have tested deep-rooted alliances and triggered doubts over the U.S.’s dependability as a companion within the international neighborhood. His administration’s go-it-alone approach has alienated America’s friends and allies. Instead, to the dismay of most, the U.S. is now viewed as a less reliable ally than in decades past. The president’s foreign policy decisions have emboldened rivals and shaken the foundations of established diplomatic relationships, prompting fears of instability in regions previously under U.S. influence.
One of Trump’s most controversial decisions during his time in office was the abrupt withdrawal of military aid to Ukraine. This country of 3 million people has been waging a nearly decade-long resistance against Russian-backed rebel forces. This move not only weakened Ukraine’s position but sent a clear message to adversaries like Vladimir Putin that U.S. support could no longer be taken for granted. In short, Trump’s presidency has upended the rules of the game for America’s allies. They are now feeling forced to re-evaluate their plans due to the fickle nature of America’s reactions.
In the Middle East, Trump’s reelection effort received a meaningful though fleeting diplomatic victory in the form of a ceasefire negotiated last weekend between Israel and Hamas. Unfortunately, this accomplishment broke down almost immediately as Israel moved to halt fresh humanitarian assistance to Gaza during the hostilities. The new spat highlights the precariousness of the peace accords negotiated on Trump’s watch. His administration is counting on people like Steve Witkoff, who has no deep diplomatic experience. This growing dependence leads to troubling questions about the competency and experience leading U.S. foreign policy.
This has coincided with some of the most aggressive military interventions under his presidency, including strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. These operations are a shift towards a willingness to intervene militarily without the significant diplomatic groundwork that the U.S. has often sought before an intervention. Critics contend that these types of impulsive decisions make a generating complex, unpredictable and dangerous new challenges for U.S. diplomacy.
Beyond military intervention on the ground, Trump’s race-baiting, nationalist incendiary rhetoric against our neighbors to the south within the Western Hemisphere should raise all eyebrows. If taken together, his statements represent a new Monroe Doctrine. He even suggested “reclaiming” the Panama Canal and annexing Greenland—which has led to legitimate fears of imperialistic aims. His constant talk about Canada as the “51st state” has alarmed many. Respect for our neighbors’ national sovereignty is another concern.
The result has been a see-sawing back-and-forth on virtually every key foreign policy concern during Trump’s administration. Such behavior has caused countless numbers to view the U.S. as an untrustworthy partner. That unreliability has left our allies and adversaries unsure of U.S. intentions, making it difficult to restore key diplomatic ties and security partnerships across the globe. As nations assess their own security and economic interests, many are left grappling with how to interact with an America that appears increasingly willing to abandon traditional diplomatic norms.
The dangers of this administration go far beyond foreign policy. His extreme remarks, often viewed as bluster, such as transforming the Gaza Strip into beachfront condominiums or forcibly displacing the local Palestinian population, illustrate a troubling trend toward rhetoric that contradicts established diplomatic practices. These kinds of statements are not just damaging to the U.S.’s credibility and they threaten to raise the temperature in areas already on edge.