A Shift Toward Transactional Alliances (Image Credits: Unsplash)
In the final weeks of 2025, as President Donald Trump’s second term unfolds, seasoned diplomats continue to dissect the administration’s assertive stance on international affairs.
A Shift Toward Transactional Alliances
The Trump administration’s foreign policy has pivoted sharply toward what experts term “Trumpian Internationalism,” emphasizing deals that prioritize U.S. interests above traditional alliances. Wendy Sherman, a former ambassador who served under multiple presidents, highlighted this approach in recent discussions, noting how it diverged from multilateral norms. She pointed out that the strategy treats partnerships as business negotiations rather than enduring commitments.
This evolution became evident early in the term, with the U.S. imposing stringent sanctions on adversaries like Venezuela while scaling back involvement in European security pacts. Analysts observed that such moves aimed to reduce American burdens abroad, forcing allies to contribute more financially. Sherman’s analysis underscored the risks, as this could erode long-term trust among NATO partners. Still, supporters argued it streamlined U.S. resources for domestic priorities.
Expansionism in the Western Hemisphere
One of the most striking aspects of Trump’s renewed foreign policy lies in its aggressive posture toward the Americas, evoking a modern Monroe Doctrine. The administration escalated naval operations in the Caribbean and pressured nations like Venezuela through oil embargoes and military posturing. This hardline tactic drew rebukes from powers such as China and Russia, who viewed it as an overreach into hemispheric affairs.
Sherman described these actions as a blend of isolationism elsewhere and expansionist zeal closer to home. For instance, the U.S. backed right-leaning leaders in regional elections, influencing outcomes in several countries. Such interventions, she explained, sought to counter leftist governments but risked inflaming tensions. By mid-2025, these efforts had reshaped alliances, with some Latin American states aligning more closely with Washington despite domestic backlash.
Retreat from Global Institutions
Trump’s team has systematically withdrawn support from international bodies that once amplified U.S. soft power, favoring unilateral actions instead. The National Security Strategy released in December 2025 criticized multilateral frameworks as inefficient, advocating a realist “America First” agenda. This included pulling funding from organizations focused on climate and human rights, redirecting resources to military enhancements.
Critics, including Sherman, warned that this vacuum allowed rivals like Russia and China to expand their influence. She noted specific examples, such as diminished U.S. roles in United Nations initiatives, which emboldened authoritarian regimes. However, administration officials countered that these steps freed America from entangling obligations. The result, by year’s end, appeared as a more insular yet kinetically active superpower.
Key Challenges and Regional Flashpoints
Beyond broad strokes, Trump’s policy faced tests in volatile regions, from the Middle East to Asia. Airstrikes intensified against groups in Somalia and Yemen, marking an escalation in counterterrorism without large-scale troop deployments. In South Asia, diplomatic strains with India and Pakistan highlighted the transactional nature of U.S. engagement.
To illustrate the multifaceted approach, consider these core elements:
- Heightened sanctions on Venezuela, coupled with naval patrols to enforce compliance.
- Transactional dealings with European allies, demanding higher defense spending amid Ukraine tensions.
- Warnings to Beijing over Taiwan, blending rhetoric with military exercises.
- Support for pro-U.S. elections in Latin America, altering regional power dynamics.
- Reduced commitments to global pacts, prioritizing bilateral deals.
Sherman emphasized that while bold, these moves demanded careful navigation to avoid unintended escalations. The administration’s focus on hard power over diplomacy, she added, reshaped global perceptions of American leadership.
Key Takeaways:
- Trump’s strategy blends isolationism in Europe with interventionism in the Americas.
- Withdrawal from multilateral bodies has created opportunities for rivals.
- Transactional alliances prioritize U.S. gains but strain traditional partnerships.
As 2025 closes, Trump’s foreign policy stands as a bold reconfiguration of American global engagement, challenging decades of precedent. Whether it strengthens or isolates the U.S. remains a subject of intense debate among experts like Sherman. What aspects of this approach intrigue you most? Share your thoughts in the comments.
