Trump’s Unpredictable Foreign Policy: A 100-Day Review

Examining the first 100 days of the Trump administration, this article reflects on the dramatic shifts in U.S. foreign policy under his leadership.

In the early hours of the morning in Munich, an aide to Vice President JD Vance was making desperate attempts to convene a senior Ukrainian official for a crucial meeting. The urgency stemmed from President Donald J. Trump's priority of securing a deal for the extraction of valuable minerals in Ukraine, reflecting a hallmark of the new administration's foreign policy approach. The aide's insistence on a late-night meeting was met with resistance, as the Ukrainian official declined to leave his room at such an hour. Nevertheless, the following day's scheduled meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky proceeded, although without a signed agreement on the minerals extraction proffer.

This incident exemplifies the overarching themes characterizing U.S. foreign policy during Trump’s first 100 days: a style marked by transactional negotiation, unpredictability, and at times, a seeming disregard for traditional diplomatic protocols. The eventual signing of the minerals deal—after initial attempts to fast-track it—underscores the exploitative and transactional tone of American statecraft in this new era.

The ramifications of Trump’s foreign policy are also visible in the interactions and reactions from global allies and adversaries alike. Across the board, Trump's administration appears to be dismantling established frameworks, from NATO relationships to the global trading system. In China, for instance, retaliatory measures against Trump’s tariff policies have amplified tensions, as the nation leverages its dominance in supply chains to counter U.S. actions.

European nations are increasingly concerned about the future of American military presence, with rumors of potential troop withdrawals from Europe looming in the background. As allies brace for implications stemming from Trump's unconventional stances, the world watches closely, adapting strategies in response to a foreign policy reminiscent of an imperial approach rather than collaborative governance. In these first 100 days, Trump's dealings signal a significant departure from collaborative internationalism, ushering in an era defined by isolationist tendencies and strategic exploitation.