Time to question the evolving Trumpism in international arena

Coordinated, and preferably collective, action by the affected nations is imperative.

- AJAY DUA

The last 200 days have seen world affairs go topsy-turvy because of the impulsive and uncalled-for acts of a single nation. Beginning with efforts to balance external trade, the conduct of President Donald Trump, elected for a second four-year term in January 2025, has extended to fulfilling his ill-conceived personal geopolitical ambitions.

Furthermore, the mercurial and ever-shifting head of the US administration is not averse to deploying his country's economic and political heft to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations.

The emerging global multi-polarity, with several centers of power that bring along checks and balances, is being consciously trodden upon. President Trump intends to enhance his personal international and domestic standing by seeking to extend US hegemony around the globe. By pushing through his loosely defined, and often amorphous objective of MAGA (Make America Great Again), he is unashamedly deploying US geopolitical standing, financial resources, and economic muscle, while also showing a willingness to back these with military threats.

The established global mores and norms for conduct of state business are being knowingly trampled upon. The credibility of global institutions, forums, and other established platforms has been undermined like never before. By doing so, one could argue that the wealthiest and mightiest nation, the US, may rapidly be losing its assiduously built status as the beacon of the free world and a consistent advocate of righteousness.

US long-term strategic and commercial partnerships with countries of Europe, North America, and Asia are being sidelined. One day Russia and its reigning President Putin are called close friends, and the very next day treated as unreliable and virtual foes.