nuclear-news

The world moves on without Trump

3 September 2025 Michael Taylor, https://theaimn.net/the-world-moves-on-without-trump/#comment-12111

President Trump entered his second term promising to “make America respected again.” Yet nearly nine months in, the opposite has happened. Far from restoring U.S. influence, his confrontational diplomacy and transactional worldview have pushed the United States to the margins of global affairs. Allies are charting their own course, rivals are filling the vacuum, and Washington – once the indispensable power – is finding itself ignored.

Canada fights back

Canada, historically one of America’s closest partners, has become a frontline example of this new dynamic. Trump reignited a tariff war in early 2025, slapping duties on Canadian steel, timber, and dairy imports. Ottawa wasted little time retaliating with its own tariffs on U.S. agricultural products and manufactured goods. Instead of cowing Canada into submission, Trump’s threats hardened its resolve. Prime Minister Mark Carney openly declared that Canada “will not be bullied,” signaling a rare breakdown in a relationship that for decades symbolised North American unity.

India hangs up the phone

Trump once basked in his self-styled friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, frequently recalling their joint rally in Houston during his first term. Today, that relationship is in tatters. Indian officials confirm that Modi has not returned several of Trump’s calls in recent weeks, a deliberate snub reflecting New Delhi’s frustration with Washington’s unpredictable trade policies and waning reliability as a strategic partner. For Trump, who prizes personal relationships with world leaders, the silence from Modi is a humiliation.

Excluded from history

Perhaps the most symbolic snub came when China marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II – and excluded the United States from the guest list. For decades, Washington had been at the heart of such commemorations, both as a wartime victor and as the principal architect of the postwar international order. This time, however, the stage belonged to the world’s three dominant authoritarian leaders – Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, and Vladimir Putin – delivering a stark message: America was no longer considered essential. Trump, clearly agitated at being left out by his supposed “friends,” dismissed it all as a “conspiracy.”

Europe moves on

Across the Atlantic, the European Union is steadily disentangling itself from Washington’s orbit. Frustrated by Trump’s climate skepticism and unilateral tariffs, Brussels has accelerated trade and renewable energy partnerships with Asian economies. Even Britain – long America’s closest ally – launched its own Middle East ceasefire initiative without so much as consulting Washington. The “special relationship” now feels like an afterthought.

Asia hedges

In Asia, longtime U.S. allies Japan and South Korea are building closer defense ties with each other and with Australia. The moves reflect deep concern over Trump’s erratic handling of security commitments, especially his repeated threats to withdraw U.S. troops unless allies pay more for their presence. For decades, Washington was the cornerstone of regional stability; now, partners are learning to do without it.

Africa and Latin America assert independence

The African Union recently declined Trump’s request to address its annual summit, citing his history of disparaging remarks about African nations. Instead, EU and Chinese envoys were welcomed. In Latin America, regional powers including Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are forging trade agreements that deliberately exclude the United States. Where once Washington dominated hemispheric affairs, its neighbors now treat it as just another power to manage.

The cost of isolation

What unites these developments is not simply Trump’s personal unpopularity, but a structural shift in global politics. For decades after World War II, the United States was seen as indispensable – the partner of first resort in security, trade, and diplomacy. Today, countries are discovering that they can move forward without Washington. Trump’s “America First” doctrine, intended to project strength, has instead revealed weakness: allies no longer trust the U.S., and rivals no longer fear it.

Echoes of decline

There are historical echoes here. Britain, once the world’s preeminent power, found itself increasingly sidelined after World War II as its empire collapsed and the U.S. rose. Now America is experiencing a similar moment. The difference is that while Britain yielded to a trusted ally, the U.S. is ceding ground to China and other powers less committed to liberal democracy.

Trump’s personal frustration

For Trump, being ignored may be worse than being opposed. He thrives on conflict, boasting of tough deals and headline-grabbing summits. But as more leaders refuse his calls, sideline him in negotiations, and leave him off the guest list, the reality sets in: the world can get along without him. For a man who equates personal validation with national success, nothing cuts deeper.

Conclusion

The United States remains a powerful nation, with unmatched military strength and vast economic clout. But power unused wisely is power wasted. Under Trump, Washington has squandered goodwill, alienated allies, and emboldened rivals. The result is a geopolitical landscape where America is no longer central. The world is moving on – and Trump, watching from the sidelines, is discovering the true price of isolation.

September 5, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international, USA