As the Trump administration marked its first anniversary of the second term, its assertive “America First” doctrine has generated significant international friction and raised concerns about global stability. During a comprehensive White House briefing, President Trump showcased what he described as 365 accomplishments since his January 20 inauguration, while simultaneously advancing controversial policies that have strained traditional alliances.
The administration’s approach has particularly manifested in two contentious areas: immigration enforcement and territorial ambitions. Trump devoted substantial attention to immigration issues, publicly displaying mugshots of undocumented immigrants arrested in Minnesota and praising ICE agents. More remarkably, the president reaffirmed his interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark, suggesting potential negotiations that would satisfy both NATO and U.S. interests without elaborating on specifics.
European leaders have responded with firm resistance. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned newly announced tariffs targeting eight European nations supporting Denmark’s position on Greenland as a “mistake” that questions Washington’s reliability. French President Emmanuel Macron threatened retaliatory measures using the EU’s powerful economic tools, colloquially termed a “trade bazooka.”
International relations experts warn that these policies represent a fundamental shift in global dynamics. According to Chen Hong of East China Normal University, the administration appears to be constructing a new form of hegemonic politics that challenges post-World War II international norms and sovereignty principles. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs has identified the U.S. as potentially “the primary driver of global disruption” due to its unpredictable alliance management.
The administration’s withdrawal from key international agreements—including the Paris Climate Accord and World Health Organization—combined with its use of tariffs as foreign policy instruments, threatens to undermine multilateral frameworks. Researchers like He Yun of Tsinghua University predict these actions will accelerate regionalization trends as nations seek to reduce dependence on Washington and strengthen alternative security arrangements.
Analysts from Pakistan’s Global Silk Route Research Alliance note that the preference for coercion over diplomacy violates UN Charter principles and jeopardizes international stability. As nations increasingly consider bloc formation and regional cooperation mechanisms, the international order faces potential restructuring toward transactional power dynamics rather than collective multilateral governance.