Trump’s Foreign Policy: Shaping Domestic Policies Worldwide

The commencement of the year 2025 is significantly marked by the inauguration of the US President Donald Trump’s administration. Similar to his first tenure, in his current term, too, the world witnesses his foreign policy decisions sculpting the international landscape.

Illustration by The Geostrata

With a three-pronged agenda, often promoted in his election campaign, President Trump focuses on issues such as economy, geopolitics and security, and socio-politics. Currently, the US is experiencing or is likely to face several issues such as economic slowdown and trade dispute, followed by security dynamics in Europe, West Asia, etc, and illegal immigration and border security concerns.

The global stature of America and its economic magnitude, ensures the impact of President Trump’s decisions on domestic affairs on certain countries.

As a torchbearer of “Make America Great Again,” President Trump is expected to ambitiously navigate through these concerns, prioritising the American interests above everything else. This article will explore the implications of President Trump’s foreign policy decisions on the domestic affairs of nations/regions such as Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, India, Europe, among others.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE

Russia-Ukraine war has entered its 4th year, and after taking reign, President Trump is hopeful towards a potential peace deal. The US, being a staunch supporter of Ukraine, shocked the international community by condemning Russian invasion of Ukraine by voting against it in the United Nations General Assembly.

Moreover, the recent spat between President Trump, Vice President JD Vance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has brought in new dimensions to US-Ukraine relations. The US-Ukraine Critical Minerals Agreement is yet to formalise, and the recent showdown at the Oval Office is likely to delay the peace deal.

EUROPE

With US-Russia potential rapprochement, reducing American assistance towards Ukraine, and scepticism towards NATO, has led to crumbling transatlantic partnership between the US and its long-term allies in Europe. This realignment of Trump’s policy has exposed Europe’s security vulnerabilities.

President Trump has already shown signs of fracturing US ties with Ukraine, and he no more promises to provide Ukraine with assistance, especially financial and military.

Additionally, he has criticised NATO nations due their reluctance to increase their contribution to 5% of GDP on defence spendin g. The recent meeting of President Trump with French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 24th February and 27th February respectively, seemed like the two European leaders were undermined by President Trump as per Body language experts.

The ongoing contentious relationship of the US with Europe has made the latter diversify its partnership with other like-minded nations, such as India. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with her forge of College of Commissioners visited India on 27-28 February, to strengthen bilateral ties in defence, trade, technology, etc.

President Ursula highlighted India as a “trusted friend” and a “strategic ally.” She took X (Twitter) to emphasise the shift in Europe’s approach to take the partnership on the next level.

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“In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends,” was underscored in her recent tweet during her visit to India.

ISRAEL-GAZA

According to President Trump, the US is likely to take control of Gaza by relocating the population and redeveloping the strip into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He introduced this plan during the meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 4th.

However, many Arabs states are not onboard with this resettlement plan as according to them, it would be aggravating regional stability and violating the rights of Palestinians.

AMERICAN NEIGHBOURHOOD

As President Trump propounds the issues of illegal migration, drug trafficking, tariffs, etc, from its southern border, has raised concerns in Mexico. Moreover, the renaming of “Gulf of Mexico” as “Gulf of America,” has further sparkled the debate.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum opposed the executive order brought in by President Trump, and threatened Google against legal action as it changed the name of the Gulf. Additionally, the Central American country Panama, too, suffered from President Trump’s bold claims regarding the Panama Canal, a significant waterbody interlinking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

The geostrategic location is significant for America as currently China operates the Panama Canal. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino staunchly rejected the US claims, and both the ruling and opposition parties of Panama were in unison to address this issue.

Furthermore, pivoting towards north, not once did President Trump hesitate to claim Canada as 51st state of the United States. Moreover, he went further to address Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “governor” of Canada. The US President plans to impose tariffs on both its northern and southern neighbour in order to prevent escalating inflation forecasted for the American economy.

INDIA

Despite strong US-India relations, visa issues, illegal migration and trade tariffs are few hurdles that would strain the bilateral ties. The Trump administration declared annulation of “citizenship by birth” visas, of which Indian Americans are major recipients. This will largely impact India as it is the largest recipient of H1-B visas.

However, the major bone of contention is with regards to illegal immigration, and President Trump’s hard stance on the same. The US has deported over 300 undocumented Indians back to their homeland.

The abuse faced by several immigrants by the US authorities received backflash in India, mostly by the opposition, as they questioned the current Modi government’s strong ties with President Trump. With the recent bilateral meeting of President Trump and Prime Minister Modi on February 13th, clarification on trade was stated, fostering of strategic partnership was furthered, signalling stable cooperation.

With less than two months of President Trump being on the reigns of the American state, his bold and unhindered policies are instrumental in shaping global as well as domestic policies of various nations. As per President Trump’s priority of “Make America Great Again,” he seems obstinate in moving away from his ambitions, which cater to America’s national interest.

From a realist perspective, “national interest” is once again at play, and like President Trump, other global leaders must execute their policies and decision-making based on what is best for their respective countries.

BY ARYA GHADIGAONKAR

TEAM GEOSTRATA

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