The White House is becoming a “Fight House”. His ministers are clashing with his “co-president” Elon Musk in the Cabinet Room of the White House. The clash, taking place in front of the President and about 20 other officials, was an unusually public display of discord within the administration, a New York Times report said. He has turned the White House into a “The Apprentice” set, where foreign dignitaries are being grilled and “fired”. On a particular day, the White House could have been mistaken as a Tesla showroom. He is conducting diplomacy on social media platforms. His tweets have sent global stock markets on a rollercoaster ride. Trillions have been wiped out from world markets because of his “now on, now off’ tariff threats.
In just 50 days, US President Donald Trump has done more to reshape global power than any of his modern predecessors. The carefully constructed international order that the United States built over the past 80 years—one based on alliances, economic cooperation, and diplomatic leadership—has been thrown into disarray.
Through abrupt policy shifts, combative rhetoric, and a stark reversal of previous commitments, Trump has not only alienated longtime allies but also emboldened America’s adversaries. From abandoning Ukraine and aligning more closely with Russia to imposing tariffs on Nato allies and floating the idea of annexing foreign territories, his presidency’s second term has already proven to be a geopolitical earthquake.
1. Abandoning Ukraine, embracing Russia
Perhaps the most jarring shift in US foreign policy has been Trump’s decision to cut off military and intelligence support to Ukraine. This move marks a stark reversal from America’s previous stance, where it had backed Ukraine with billions in military aid to resist Russian aggression.
Not only has Trump refused to call Russia the aggressor in the ongoing war, but his administration also took the unprecedented step of voting alongside Russia, North Korea, and Iran at the United Nations against its own Nato allies. “Trump now sides with the invader,” said John Bolton, his former national security adviser.
In a contentious Oval Office meeting, Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III”.
The White House has pressured Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire under terms that largely favor Russia, further dividing the United States from its European allies. Meanwhile,
2. Territorial threats Against Canada, Greenland, and Panama
Trump’s foreign policy has taken an unexpected turn toward territorial ambition. In a move reminiscent of 19th-century imperialism, he has floated the idea of taking control of Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even parts of Canada.
His insistence that the US-Canada border is an “artificial line of separation” has alarmed diplomats. When pressed on whether he would rule out military force to achieve his territorial ambitions, Trump bluntly said, “I’m not going to commit to that.”
We don’t want to be Americans. No, we don’t want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders, and we want our own independence in the future.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland’s likely new prime minister
3. Nato in Freefall
Trump has long criticized Nato, but his actions in his second term have pushed the alliance closer to a breaking point. His refusal to reaffirm America’s commitment to defend its allies has left European nations scrambling to find alternative security arrangements.
France has begun discussions about extending its nuclear umbrella to cover other European nations, and Poland is openly considering developing its own nuclear weapons. Germany, historically cautious about military expansion, has signaled that it may need to drastically increase defense spending and rethink its dependence on the US security umbrella.
“We’ve reached the point where we can no longer assume the United States will defend Europe,” said Friedrich Merz, the Germany’s likely next chancellor.
4. A new Monroe doctrine?
The Trump administration has floated the idea of a “Monroe Doctrine 2.0,” suggesting that global influence should be divided among major powers—namely the US, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
As per a New York Times article, former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger compared this approach to the infamous Yalta Conference of 1945, where “the strong countries decided the fate of small countries.” Such an approach would mark the end of multilateralism as the defining principle of global diplomacy.
5. A blunt economic war
Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs on US allies, branding them “leeches” on the American economy. This aggressive economic policy has led to retaliatory measures from Europe and growing fears of a global recession.
In a sharp departure from traditional American economic diplomacy, Trump has suggested replacing the IRS with an “External Revenue Service” to “tax and tariff foreign countries to enrich our citizens.” His focus on economic nationalism has already rattled markets, with European businesses fearing that economic ties with the U.S. are no longer reliable.
As per a Reuters report, Trump’s tariff policies have rattled investors, leading to a stock market sell-off that has erased $4 trillion from the S&P 500’s peak last month. The downturn follows growing fears that the administration’s aggressive trade stance—particularly erratic tariff moves against Canada, Mexico, and China—could tip the economy toward a recession.
Lazard CEO Peter Orszag warned that the trade uncertainty is causing corporate leaders to reconsider their strategic plans. “People can understand ongoing tensions with China, but the Canada, Mexico, and Europe part is confusing,” Orszag said.
6. Elon Musk’s growing influence in foreign policy
One of the most unexpected developments in Trump’s second term has been the growing role of billionaire Elon Musk in shaping foreign policy. Musk, who was a major donor to Trump’s campaign, has taken an active role in dismantling US foreign aid programs.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID), once a cornerstone of American soft power, has been largely dismantled under Musk’s guidance. The move has struck fear into government employees, signaling that other international programs may soon be on the chopping block.
Several congressional Democrats have started to call him “President Elon Musk.” …Time Magazine featured on its cover a provocative and photoshopped image of Musk sitting alone behind the president’s Resolute Desk. This was a notable shift from the “Citizen Musk” framing on a post-election cover about his influence as a private citizen.“He’s the most powerful bureaucrat in the history of America, exerting far more power than any cabinet official, without any Senate confirmation,” said Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, a progressive advocacy group.
An article in CNN
7. A diplomatic meltdown with Ukraine
One of the defining moments of Trump’s first 50 days was a disastrous Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader, dressed in his signature military attire, was confronted by Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who accused him of being ungrateful for past US assistance.
“You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump told Zelenskyy before abruptly ending the meeting. The White House soon announced a freeze on all military assistance to Ukraine, a move that was widely seen as a concession to Russia.
The fallout was immediate: European leaders expressed shock, Nato members scrambled to reassess their security commitments, and Ukraine found itself increasingly isolated.
8. European defense without America?
As a direct consequence of Trump’s policies, European nations are now openly discussing how to build a defense strategy independent of the United States. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have already held high-level talks about increasing their defense spending and potentially creating a European nuclear deterrent.
Macron’s government has hinted that France is prepared to extend its nuclear umbrella to other European nations, while Poland has suggested that acquiring nuclear weapons is now a necessity.
For the first time in decades, there is serious discussion about whether Nato can survive without US leadership.
9. Sidelining the United Nations
Trump’s approach to the United Nations has further cemented the perception that America is no longer interested in leading the international order. The administration has actively worked to block UN resolutions that call out Russian aggression, and it has pressured allies to withdraw their own proposals.
In a stunning reversal, the US has even abstained from voting on its own UN resolution after European allies amended it to be more critical of Russia.
When you are voting with North Korea and Iran against Nato allies, when you are failing to stand up to Russian aggression, when you are threatening to take the territory of your allies, something has fundamentally changed. There is a breaking of the trust with allies we may never be able to repair.
R Nicholas Burns, former US ambassador to China, to NYT
10. China and Russia as the big winners
With the US stepping back from multilateral institutions, China has moved quickly to fill the void. The Belt and Road Initiative, already a dominant force in global development, is now expanding further, with countries increasingly looking to Beijing for economic and diplomatic leadership.
Russia, meanwhile, has gained significant leverage as Trump has signaled a willingness to negotiate directly with Putin. The Kremlin has expressed satisfaction with Trump’s policy shifts, with a spokesperson stating, “The White House has finally acknowledged that Ukraine must change its position.”
No one knows how successful Mr Trump will be in ripping asunder what every American president since Harry Truman has built — an era of institution-building that Mr Truman’s secretary of state memorialized in a book entitled “Present At the Creation.” To live in Washington these days is to feel as if one is present at the destruction.
An article in the New York Times
The world after 50 days
Trump’s early moves suggest he is comfortable in a world where major powers dictate terms while smaller nations fall in line. Whether this marks a temporary shift or a long-term transformation remains to be seen.
(With inputs from agencies)