In a dizzying first day in office, President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of foreign policy pronouncements that signaled a seismic shift in America’s global posture. From new tariffs to treaty withdrawals to casting doubt on Middle East peace efforts, Trump wasted no time putting his “America First” doctrine into action.
Putin, Trade Wars, and Climate Accords
Speaking from the Oval Office as he signed a flurry of executive orders, Trump outlined plans to slap 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting February 1st, claiming the measure was needed to stem the flow of people and fentanyl across the borders. The move portends a new era of strained relations with two of America’s largest trading partners.
Trump also declared that the US would withdraw from the World Health Organization, alleging the body mishandled the Covid-19 pandemic and was beholden to political influence from member states like China. The decision deals a blow to global health cooperation as new disease threats emerge.
I have to speak to President Putin, we’re gonna have to find out. He can’t be thrilled. He’s not doing so well.
– President Trump on the war in Ukraine
On the war in Ukraine, Trump said he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin “very soon” and asserted that Putin was “destroying Russia” by refusing to negotiate a ceasefire. However, he was non-committal about whether he could broker an end to the three-year conflict.
In another major reversal, Trump signed an order beginning the process for the US to exit the Paris Climate Accord a second time, after briefly rejoining under Biden. The move undermines global efforts to curb emissions and mitigate climate change.
Mideast Doubts and Development Dreams
Turning to the Middle East, Trump expressed doubts that the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas would hold, stating bluntly “That’s not our war, that’s their war.” He suggested that Gaza had been severely weakened in the fighting.
In an offhand remark, Trump mused about the development potential of Gaza, calling it a “phenomenal location” on the sea with great weather. “Some beautiful things could be done with it,” he pondered, seemingly reverting to his days as a real estate mogul.
We are thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada because they’re allowing vast numbers of people … to come in, and fentanyl to come in.
– President Trump on imposing new tariffs
Upending the Global Order
Trump’s first-day foreign policy blitz marks a stark departure from the internationalist approach of his predecessor. By threatening trade wars, abandoning multilateral institutions, and injecting uncertainty into fragile peace processes, Trump is upending the US-led liberal world order that has prevailed since World War II.
- Trade: The looming tariffs on Canada and Mexico risk severe economic disruption and the unraveling of continental supply chains.
- Global Health: Withdrawing from the WHO amid an ongoing pandemic could hamper the international response to current and future disease outbreaks.
- Middle East: By reversing sanctions on Israeli settlers and adopting a hands-off stance on the Hamas-Israel ceasefire, Trump injects new volatility into a region on edge.
- Climate: Leaving the Paris Accord again surrenders US leadership on the existential issue of global warming.
As other world powers like China and Europe seek to fill the leadership vacuum, the era of Pax Americana that has defined the postwar world appears to be coming to an abrupt end. In its place, Trump envisions a new age of nationalism where each country ruthlessly pursues its own interests above all else.
Only time will tell if Trump’s “America First” gambit pays off or plunges the planet into a new period of disorder and conflict. But one thing is certain – the tremors from this geopolitical earthquake will be felt in every corner of the globe for years to come. In just one whirlwind day, Trump has ushered in a momentous transformation of America’s role in the world, for better or worse.
