Understanding Trump 2.0: Impacts on the Global World Order Explained by Stephen Wertheim

Many people thought Donald Trump’s second term as president would be similar to the first. But it’s already looking different. In his first weeks, he has taken bold steps. He has imposed significant tariffs on neighboring countries, made changes to the federal workforce, and tried to alter citizenship laws with executive orders.

When it comes to foreign policy, things are shifting too. In his inaugural address, Trump didn’t discuss the usual topics of war and peace. Instead, he talked about expanding U.S. territory in the Western Hemisphere and even venturing to Mars. He barely mentioned China, only to inaccurately claim they were involved in the Panama Canal. One notable comment was about measuring success not just by winning battles, but also by ending wars and avoiding conflicts altogether.

Marco Rubio, the new Secretary of State, added to this narrative. During his first major interview, he emphasized the need for a foreign policy aligned with U.S. interests. He noted that the world is no longer a one-power system and highlighted the importance of dealing with multiple influential nations, such as China and Russia, as well as rogue states like Iran and North Korea.

Rubio’s acknowledgment of a “multipolar” world is significant. Unlike Hillary Clinton, who spoke about moving towards a “multipartner world,” Rubio accepts that multiple powers are now part of the global landscape. This marks a departure from the long-held belief that U.S. dominance was the norm. He reflected on how, after the Cold War, America took on the role of global governance, attempting to solve every international problem.

But what does this mean for U.S. foreign policy? It could signal a more restrained approach. Some fear this means giving China and Russia leeway, while others hope it might lead to an end to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Essentially, Rubio suggests a move away from the expansive military commitments of the past.

However, Rubio’s views on China and Russia were still quite adversarial. This doesn’t necessarily mean the U.S. will abandon its global military presence. Even in a multipolar world, America can choose to remain a military leader. The previous administrations didn’t scale back commitments despite the rising influence of other nations.

Rubio also pointed out that the lessons of past conflicts, particularly World War II, are critical. With multiple countries now capable of catastrophic destruction, the focus should be on avoiding conflicts where possible, but not at the expense of U.S. interests. He stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between peacekeeping and national security.

As tensions between major powers have increased, particularly with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the potential for U.S.-China conflict over Taiwan, the challenge for the new administration is to navigate these complexities. A serious diplomatic effort is needed to resolve the situation in Ukraine and manage relations with China without compromising core interests.

So far, the early actions of this administration suggest a desire for a more balanced approach to global relations. While it seems that the era of U.S. unipolarity might be over, the pursuit of primacy in foreign affairs continues to be a compelling objective.

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