A critical overview of Donald Trump’s foreign policy, focusing on his relationships with authoritarian leaders and withdrawal from international agreements.
Relations with Authoritarian Leaders
Trump’s friendly stance towards authoritarian leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was a major departure from traditional U.S. foreign policy, which often emphasized promoting democracy and human rights.
- Met with Kim Jong-un and described their relationship as “very good,” despite North Korea’s human rights abuses.
- Refused to directly criticize Putin, leading to allegations of a too-cozy relationship with Russia.
Withdrawal from International Agreements
Trump withdrew the United States from several key international agreements, including the Iran Nuclear Deal, which he claimed was ineffective, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which had major implications for international trade.
- The Iran Deal withdrawal led to increased tensions in the Middle East.
- The TPP withdrawal left a leadership vacuum that China began to fill in the Asia-Pacific region.
NATO and Traditional Alliances
Trump frequently criticized NATO, calling it “obsolete” and demanding that member countries pay more for their defense. This approach created tensions with traditional allies and led to questions about America’s commitment to the alliance.
Summary
Donald Trump’s approach to international relations was characterized by a break from traditional alliances, a focus on “America First,” and unprecedented interactions with authoritarian leaders. This reshaped the U.S.’s global role and alliances in both positive and negative ways.