The sooner the US’s former friends realise the old global order is over, the sooner they can organise to regain power and agency – the only language Trump understandsA resonant phrase during Donald Trump’s first administration was the advice to take him “seriously, but not literally”. It was a singularly detrimental expression, widely quoted by politicians and the media. Its adoption fit with the position many felt most comfortable taking: Trump was bad, but he wasn’t smart. He wasn’t intentional. He wasn’t calculated and deliberate. He sounded off, but rarely followed up with action. He was in essence a misfiring weapon that could do serious damage, but mostly by accident.The residue of that approach still persists, even in analysis that describes Trump’s first executive orders as a campaign of “shock and awe”, as if it were just a matter of signalling rather than executing. Or that his plan for Gaza is to be taken – you guessed it – seriously, not literally. When that was suggeste...
The article discusses the emergence of a coherent Trump Doctrine, particularly in foreign policy, characterized by transactionalism, financialization, and the rejection of soft power. The author argues that despite perceptions of chaos, Trump's approach is intentional, prioritizing short-term gains and economic returns over traditional diplomacy. This doctrine reshapes international relations, positioning the U.S. as a dominant force and reducing allies, such as Europe, to junior partners. The piece highlights the significant shift in global power dynamics under Trump's leadership.
