President-elect Donald Trump waves while walking off stage following early results from the 2024 presidential election in Palm Beach County Convention Center, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 6.
In the hours after Donald Trump secured another term in the White House, a familiar exercise was unfolding in foreign capitals. Dusting off their proverbial Trump playbooks, leaders from Paris to Jerusalem to Riyadh and beyond began posting congratulatory messages online and pressing their ambassadors in Washington to find a way — any way — to get in contact with the incoming president directly.
The scramble did not go unnoticed among Trump’s bleary-eyed aides in Florida, who kept close track of who was reaching out — and in what order.
As the world digests the reality of another Trump presidency, the central characteristics of his approach to the world are coming into sharper focus almost immediately. Transactional, personality-based and erratic, the Trump doctrine made for a chaotic four years that left both foreign leaders and seasoned American national security aides exhausted and jittery.
Nothing in Trump’s campaign for president suggests his approach is likely to change. Unlike those years, however, the world is now “on fire,” as Trump likes to say, and he’s promised to extinguish the flames. He has vowed to end Russia’s war in Ukraine in 24 hours and bring peace to the Middle East, all while constraining American foes in North Korea and Iran.
That’s in addition to slapping broad new tariffs on China, reassessing stalwart American defense alliances like NATO and finding countries willing to take the migrants he’s promised to deport en masse.
How he will accomplish any of those goals is uncertain. He did not delve into details of his plans as a candidate, much less confer with American allies about how to approach the problems collectively.
The recent election of Donald Trump for another term in the White House has set off a flurry of activity across international capitals, with leaders racing to adapt to his renewed presidency. The return of Trump’s distinctive, assertive style—marked by a transactional, personality-driven approach—has revived memories of his previous term, which was characterized by abrupt shifts, intense negotiations, and a departure from the conventions of American foreign policy. As the world absorbs this political shift, diplomats and leaders worldwide are scrambling to recalibrate their strategies, eager to re-establish direct lines of communication with the new administration.
In the hours following his projected victory, Trump’s aides in Florida were flooded with congratulatory messages from allies and competitors alike. Countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia posted statements acknowledging his return, with foreign ministers, ambassadors, and prime ministers vying to be among the first to re-establish diplomatic ties. Leaders in countries like France, Israel, and Saudi Arabia moved quickly to position themselves favorably, keenly aware that Trump places value on early outreach and personal rapport. His aides reportedly noted the sequence of incoming messages, signaling that once again, personal relationships would play a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy under Trump.
Trump’s campaign rhetoric gave the world a preview of his global strategy, which appears largely unchanged since his last term but even more ambitious given the current geopolitical challenges. He has repeatedly promised swift action on several critical international issues. For instance, Trump claims he can broker peace in Ukraine and bring stability to the Middle East within an unprecedentedly short time frame, despite skepticism from foreign policy experts and American allies. His commitment to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours has sparked curiosity and doubt, given the complex nature of the dispute and the high-stakes involvement of NATO and the European Union. Nevertheless, Trump has maintained that his diplomatic skills and unique relationships with global leaders would allow him to bring the warring parties to the table quickly.
In the Middle East, Trump’s ambitions are equally bold. He has vowed to use his connections and negotiating prowess to bring lasting peace to the region, where tensions have escalated due to recent conflicts. His confidence partly stems from his administration’s role in facilitating the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, which he touts as evidence of his peace-making abilities. However, the regional dynamics have shifted considerably since those accords, with new challenges on the horizon. Trump’s assertions suggest he believes he can leverage the relationships he cultivated during his first term to continue influencing the region’s politics and security landscape.
Trump’s approach to American adversaries, including North Korea and Iran, remains notably hardline. While he established an unprecedented direct dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his previous term, he has emphasized the need to contain Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. Trump’s rhetoric toward Iran has also remained confrontational, with calls for stringent containment measures against what he describes as destabilizing actions by the Iranian regime. Observers note that Trump’s policies in these regions could lead to heightened tensions, as his commitment to containing these adversaries may clash with regional efforts to maintain peace.
Economic policy is another area where Trump has pledged decisive action, particularly in his stance against China. Trump’s vision includes imposing sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports, a strategy he believes will protect American industries and reduce dependence on China. This protectionist approach signals a likely return to his earlier “America First” policies, which focused on reshoring jobs and industries back to the United States. While this may resonate with American workers who feel marginalized by global competition, it has raised concerns among economists and trade experts who warn of potential trade wars and economic disruptions. Moreover, Trump’s promises to revamp trade relations extend beyond China, as he has hinted at revisiting agreements with other countries to secure what he considers more favorable terms for the U.S.
Additionally, Trump has indicated that he will reassess traditional defense alliances, notably NATO, an alliance he has previously criticized as disproportionately burdensome for the United States. During his campaign, he questioned the fairness of NATO’s cost-sharing, urging member nations to contribute more to the alliance’s budget. Trump’s stance on NATO raises questions about the future of the alliance, especially given current tensions in Europe and concerns about Russia’s aggressive foreign policy. As the Ukraine conflict continues, some NATO allies are apprehensive about whether Trump’s renewed scrutiny of the alliance could weaken its ability to respond cohesively to Russian actions.
Domestically, Trump’s vision includes drastic immigration reforms aimed at curbing illegal migration and deporting millions of undocumented individuals. He has pledged to impose stricter measures along the southern border and to pursue deals with foreign nations willing to accept deported migrants. Trump’s proposed immigration policies mark a continuation of his hardline stance, emphasizing border security and strict immigration controls. However, implementing these policies could present logistical and humanitarian challenges, as well as legal battles, given the complex nature of immigration issues.
The 2024 world, however, is not the same as it was during Trump’s first term. Since then, numerous crises have compounded, from the global response to COVID-19 to the intensifying impacts of climate change. Global politics have evolved with an increased emphasis on collective action, as many nations recognize that issues like health security, climate change, and cyber threats require multilateral cooperation. Trump’s skepticism toward global organizations and multilateral agreements, such as the Paris Agreement on climate, could put the U.S. at odds with its allies, especially as other major powers like the European Union continue to prioritize cooperative solutions to these pressing issues.
Critics argue that Trump’s approach—heavy on promises but light on details—may complicate efforts to achieve these goals, as his preference for unilateral action and personalized diplomacy could lead to further isolation of the U.S. on the world stage. Observers note that Trump’s inclination to engage with foreign leaders individually, rather than through established diplomatic channels, may strain traditional alliances and institutions that depend on stability and predictability.
As the Trump administration begins to take shape, the world will be watching closely to see how his campaign pledges translate into actionable policies. With mounting global issues, the stakes are high, and many wonder how Trump’s leadership will impact international relations, trade, and security in the coming years. Whether he can implement his vision effectively—or whether his policies will intensify global divisions—remains an open question that only time will answer.