American President Donald Trump revels in power — its constant consolidation domestically and its aggressive use in foreign policy. In his first ten months in office, Trump has used America’s strength to revise key alliances and resolve long-standing disputes.
However, this approach, which analysts call the “Trump doctrine”, has so far been primarily directed against weaker actors on the global stage. Now, the White House leader is entering a stage where he faces stronger rivals — Russia and China — and is forced to temper some of his most controversial traits, writes analyst Hal Brands in Bloomberg.
Trump has frequently criticized his predecessors for “squandering” American power in costly military interventions and for a lack of firmness in defending US economic and geopolitical interests. His foreign policy is characterized by a tough style, applied to both adversaries and allies.
Economically, the American president has imposed punitive tariffs to renegotiate trade relations or to impose his will in bilateral disputes. The strategy has forced key partners — from the European Union to South Korea — to accept unbalanced agreements, from which Washington has gained more.
In geopolitics, Trump has been just as active. In the Middle East, he ordered airstrikes on Iran and exerted diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza. In Europe and Asia, he used implicit threats of US withdrawal from alliances to make allies increase their defense budgets. In the Western Hemisphere, he reaffirmed American dominance through diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and military deployments.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated last month that the United States “will no longer allow itself to be exploited” and that Washington will firmly defend its interests.
However, the reality shows that Trump has been toughest with weaker states — isolated countries like Iran and Venezuela or allies strategically dependent on the US. The real challenge will be how he will manage to impose American influence in the face of major powers, less impressed by his rhetoric.
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