Politico Fact-Checks Trump's Foreign Policy 'Successes'
Tehran - BORNA - The American publication Politico recently examined the state of global relations and order after 300 days into Donald Trump's second term as US President. Trump and his supporters assert that the world "has never been better," portraying the current administration as having strengthened the US and its alliances in an unprecedented manner.
The Administration's Narrative of Success
This viewpoint highlights several supposed achievements. Trump claims credit for compelling European nations and other partners to increase their defense spending, take greater responsibility for supporting Ukraine, and increase purchases of American weaponry. The report notes the US defense budget has grown by approximately 13% to $1 trillion this year, and NATO members have committed to spending 5% of their GDP on defense, exceeding the US share. Quoting former National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, the article presents Trump as a global political figure who has solved numerous crises, claiming to have "ended 8 wars in 8 months." The article suggests that Trump has effectively used leverage, particularly in West Asia, where a diplomat noted: "No one can say no to him." This approach, according to the narrative, resulted in the Gaza ceasefire and the release of captives held by the Zionist regime. Trump also claims to be rebuilding the global trade order by opening closed markets through tariffs and threats, monetizing access to the American consumer market, and pressuring other countries to participate in the re-industrialization of the US.
The Reality: Distrust, Extortion, and Decline
Politico, however, emphasizes that this narrative presents only a partial view, arguing that the true impact of Trump's policies has been the erosion of global stability and trust. In reviewing alliances, the article points out that the increase in NATO defense spending is attributed not to Trump's "success," but rather to a pervasive atmosphere of deep distrust and concern among allies. While NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged the spending increase, Politico notes the primary driver was the fear of a potential US withdrawal from NATO or the abandonment of its Article 5 collective defense commitment. Many European countries, particularly Germany, now lack the previous level of trust in the US and harbor severe fears of Russia. Politico views Trump's policy toward Ukraine as a clear example of a shift in US behavior. The report claims Trump halted all military and economic aid to Ukraine, pressuring the country into agreements involving resource concessions for prior aid and accepting conditions that effectively granted concessions to Russia. The article describes this approach as being more akin to "security extortion" rather than genuine partnership. Regarding Trump's claims of "peacemaking," the article says the realities are far more limited than the picture presented. Although the Gaza ceasefire is credited to him, tensions are described as more severe than ever, with the risk of renewed violence far outweighing the prospects of lasting peace. Trump's other claimed agreements are either unfulfilled or on the verge of collapse. Furthermore, the US-China trade war has returned to a state of unstable ceasefire without real progress, and promised agreements with the EU remain incomplete. Domestic pressure over rising food costs has even forced Trump to lift tariffs on hundreds of goods.
Successful Demolition
Politico concludes that Trump has been considerably more successful at "demolishing" the established global order than at "rebuilding" it. The article issues a stark warning: the disintegration of the international order built over decades, without a rational replacement, constitutes a "costly folly"—a price that will be borne not only by the global community but also by the American populace itself.
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