With Donald Trump’s presidency just days away from its 100th day, the impacts of his policies are being felt at home and abroad. Trump’s actions have initiated a significant shift in the international order, one that has been in place since the aftermath of World War II. The crudeness of his approach to foreign policy has been alarming. In particular, his position on the Ukraine-Russia conflict undermines the world order and respect for international law.
In his approach to Ukraine, Trump seems determined to put the transactional above the beneficial or diplomatic. He’s still in the game, continuing to negotiate hard with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In return for rich Ukraine’s major share of future earnings from critical minerals, oil and gas, ports, and other infrastructure, he wants a level of U.S. protection. This proposed deal has drawn criticism as it seems to reward Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggressive actions rather than support the beleaguered nation of Ukraine.
Critics have pointed out how Trump’s alleged peace deal would erode Ukraine’s sovereignty. They argue it gives away a lot of Putin’s demands to him and requires Ukraine to give up on crucial resources. Fourth, by adopting Putin’s narrative, Trump is seen to be granting legitimacy to Russia’s territorial goals. This technology shift fundamentally alters the balance of power in U.S.-Russia relations. It lays bare Trump’s false front as a champion of democratic values and defender of international norms.
Rather, Trump’s approach is the next logical step in the rupture with the principles that have underpinned international relations for decades. Taken together, his actions betray a desire to reward violence instead of enforce the laws against it. That’s why Trump definitely doesn’t seem like America’s guy on Ukraine. Such a position endangers the principles of international law that were established to avoid exactly these types of acts of conquest.
At home, much like his foreign policy controversies, Trump is facing contentious legal challenges that go line by line to magnify their dangerous impulse. His administration’s handling of various legal matters raises concerns about the rule of law and accountability within the United States. More than any of these issues playing out, it weighs heavily on Trump’s prospects to govern. They undermine his leadership on the world stage.
Throw in the wild card of Trump’s tariff policies, and these are pretty difficult times economically. The president has, in effect, declared a tariff war on China. He is confident this move will increase pressure on the U.S.’s main economic rival and result in much improved conditions for American firms. As experts like Professor Biber caution, this might lead these companies to raise their consumer prices even higher, resulting in greater economic harms than benefits.
Trump’s impatience for results is apparent. He goes so far as to threaten to give up on Ukraine altogether if a compromise isn’t found soon. This haste seems to be more about his wish to present successes in time for his 100th-day jubilations. Such a position is downright alarming. It raises doubts about his commitment to supporting our allies during times of crisis, particularly when those allies are confronted with existential threats.
The broader implications of things Trump is doing, which go much deeper than just this one immediate negotiation between Ukraine and Russia. His naive, simplistic, tariff-centric bratty approach undermines the system of international trade that has been so central to growing global prosperity. By purposely fragilizing these agreements, Trump is betting on the U.S. being evermore isolated both economically and diplomatically.
In addition, occasionally Trump’s rhetoric veers into territory that sounds sympathetic to authoritarianism. His eagerness to oblige Putin’s annexationist impulses has provided his critics with the opportunity to remind people of his own authoritarian tendencies. This newfound favoritism towards such autocratic leaders sends a clear warning on the future of democracy and governance both domestically and internationally.