Can Trump continue the American ‘exceptionalism’?

Trump is not a new player on the world stage, any observer has studied him, but the world is quite different since 2017. Can his more homogenous government adapt to the rapid changes in a polarized and divided world?

Former U.S president Donald Trump campaigning in The Bronx, New York City, May 2024 (photo taken by Reuters).

Any world leader paying close attention to Trump can be familiar with his foreign policy, strong tariffs on foreign goods, especially China and Mexico, isolationism and un-compromise with his allies. Nevertheless there is a three step list in his policy, Trump arrives at the white house with a more homogenous National Security team compared to 2017. The state of the world has had significant changes since 2017 and third, foreign leaders have a better read on Trump’s foreign policy and attitudes.

His belief that the American liberal doctrine imposed in the world has had the better of the country, as a U-turn in American progress. His remorse for inward economic flows such as migration and imports, the determination for the U.S allies to spend more on their defense and “America First” speech will influence his foreign diplomacy. This time he comes with a more advanced confidence in the world of politics leading him to shoulder up with autocrats such as Vladimir Putin and Kim-Jong-Un, believing he can cut deals with them and restore world stability so the U.S can focus more on itself instead of outside problems.

The madman theory he holds close to his heart where he threatens to cut-off imports, impose massive sanctions, “fire and fury” policies, and strong rates will lead other players of the world stage to give greater concessions. Although his economic policy is closed off it does not mean his willingness to listen to other economic options are out the window. His first term saw him ignore the Hong Kong issue, the repressions in different regions inside China and the encirclement of Huawei top executive in exchange for a better economic bilateral treaty.

One could argue his foreign policy is based on interests and opportunities. Nevertheless there is still a lot we do not know, his last administration was plagued with inward fighting and personnel changes preventing him from reaching his aims. Now that he has got his team and a strong policy goal what is going to happen? It is a question we will have to wait and see how it develops. His isolationism is already a secured objective but will it work in today's geopolitical situation where the U.S is standing in?

Written by Federico De La Lama Aguirre.