Since returning to the White House on 6 January 2025, Donald Trump wasted no time in advancing his agenda, reshaping U.S. policy in ways that have sent shockwaves through the global community. From economic protectionism to aggressive foreign policy shifts, Trump’s measures have provoked both opposition and adaptation.
However, despite the boldness of his actions, world leaders are demonstrating that Trump is neither omnipotent nor irreplaceable. His influence is considerable, but the world is not without countermeasures.
America First on Trade
One of his first major actions was the immediate imposition of a universal 10% tariff on all imports, a policy that has elicited sharp responses from economic powerhouses.
The European Union retaliated with targeted tariffs on key American exports, while China has accelerated trade agreements with Latin America and Africa, reducing reliance on the U.S. market.
Meanwhile, Mexico and Canada, blindsided by the abrupt move, have begun discussions on alternative trade routes, shifting some of their economic focus towards Europe and Asia.
Return to Maximum Pressure Policy
Trump’s foreign policy has taken an aggressive turn, with swift measures against Iran, including the reimposition of sweeping sanctions and military posturing in the Persian Gulf.
In response, European nations have deepened diplomatic ties with Tehran, seeking to revive elements of the 2015 nuclear deal without U.S. involvement. China and Russia have also stepped in, expanding economic and military cooperation with Iran to counterbalance American pressure.
Transatlantic Alliance in Disarray
His return to power has also reignited tensions within NATO. Trump has openly threatened to reduce U.S. military support unless European nations drastically increase their defence budgets.
Rather than yielding to pressure, NATO members have accelerated independent security initiatives, strengthening European defence mechanisms and boosting coordination with regional allies.
Germany and France, in particular, have taken the lead in discussions on a more self-sufficient European defence strategy, signalling that NATO’s survival no longer depends solely on Washington’s whims.
Trump and ‘Illegal Aliens‘
Domestically, Trump’s hardline immigration stance led to mass deportations and a revival of restrictive border policies, sparking backlash from neighbouring countries.
Mexico, rather than accepting the new status quo, responded with legal challenges and diplomatic pressure, while Canada has expanded refugee programmes to accommodate those fleeing Trump’s policies.
Additionally, several U.S. states have launched lawsuits against the federal government, challenging the legality of the mass deportation orders.
Trump and Paris Accords
His decision to withdraw from international climate agreements has also faced fierce opposition. While the U.S. federal government scales back environmental commitments, individual states such as California and New York have doubled down on their own green energy initiatives, ensuring that America’s climate efforts do not collapse entirely.
Globally, the European Union has pushed forward with stricter environmental regulations, making it clear that the fight against climate change will continue with or without Washington’s cooperation.
Resistance to Trump’s Policies
The BRICS
Even in the realm of global diplomacy, Trump’s influence is being checked. His administration’s renewed hostility towards China has led to strengthened alliances between Beijing and key global players, including Brazil, South Africa, and India. The BRICS bloc has expanded its influence, positioning itself as an alternative to Western-led institutions.
The United Nations
The UN, despite facing U.S. funding cuts, has adapted by securing alternative financial commitments from other major economies, ensuring that multilateral efforts continue unabated.
Key American Allies
Egypt has categorically rejected any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza, warning that such actions would pose a serious threat to regional stability. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has reaffirmed that Egypt will not permit the Palestinian issue to be resolved at its own expense, stressing that any forced displacement would undermine the prospects for a just and lasting solution.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks in American media, dismissing them as “misleading accusations.”
Saudi Arabia has also taken a firm stance, condemning any forced displacement as a violation of international law and reaffirming its commitment to Palestinian statehood within the 1967 borders.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry has stated the kingdom’s “unequivocal rejection of any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, land annexation, or attempts to displace them from their land.”
This is Not Trump’s World
Trump’s measures are disruptive, but they do not unilaterally dictate the course of world affairs.
Nations and leaders across the globe are proving that they can counterbalance his policies, forging new alliances, economic strategies, and diplomatic approaches to navigate the challenges he presents. The world is not at his mercy, and while his presidency carries significant consequences, it is not the singular force shaping the future.
His return to power has been met with resistance, adaptation, and resilience—demonstrating that while Trump’s actions may alter the geopolitical landscape, they will not dominate it entirely.
