- The Trump doctrine consists of three fundamental elements which combine avoidance of prolonged military conflicts with American manufacturing revitalization efforts and intense immigration rules with preferential international ties.
- The new American approach implies a dramatic transformation in Atlantic alliance politics because European defence models and operations now require adjustment with decreased American involvement.
- Trump plans to overhaul his trade policy to exit free trade agreements and advance American manufacturing.
- The unpredictable role of India stands out in this transforming global political system.
Under President Trump, the United States executes a new foreign policy strategy that alters global political conditions. This period marked by multiple strategic hedging strategies needs a thorough analysis of its fundamental operational principles. The Trump administration’s foreign policy doctrine appears to be guided by several key tenets, the Trump doctrine consists of three fundamental elements which combine avoidance of prolonged military conflicts with American manufacturing revitalization efforts and intense immigration rules with preferential international ties. These concepts together will produce significant influences on both global diplomatic interactions and worldwide security systems.
A defining characteristic of Trump’s foreign policy centres around his avoidance, both of current engagements in conflict and the creation of new combat situations. Changing U.S. foreign policy tracks a new direction compared to past leadership due to its restraint from military action. Trump’s administration selects domestic matters together with economic reconstruction as its key priorities. The evolving direction causes uncertainty about how both NATO and the U.S. will sustain their European security operations moving forward. At the Senate hearing, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio declared the United States would uphold support for NATO, but he wanted European allies to boost their defence spending. The new American approach implies a dramatic transformation in Atlantic alliance politics because European defence models and operations now require adjustment with decreased American involvement.
For Ukraine’s ongoing war, Rubio demonstrated a strategic method for U.S. policy which produces scepticism among NATO partners. According to him, nations must use realistic assessments because Russia and Ukraine must agree to compromise at some point. The view takes the same direction as Trump’s overall policy approach which emphasizes American interests above conventional alliance commitments. As Transatlantic ties face the potential strain, European nations may find themselves compelled to make concessions to maintain favourable relations with the U.S., thereby reinforcing American hegemonic power. Trump faces complicated difficulties with his international policy in the Middle East region. New evidence showed Trump actively participated in mediating Gaza ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
The Trump administration stands different from past leadership because officials do not hesitate to pressure authorities against traditional policies of unflinching Israeli policy support. Successful Middle Eastern nuclear agreements between Israel and Saudi Arabia could establish favourable trends to help resolve problems affecting Palestinians. Through his skilful handling of these compounded negotiations, Trump might achieve breakthroughs that past administrations failed to achieve. The Republic of China stands as one of the central priorities in Washington’s foreign strategy. Recent conversations between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping show both leaders want to prevent conflict while pursuing agreements that benefit both countries. The gaps in Trump’s predictable approach to international policy create obstacles for international relations. He maintains an inconsistent stance on Taiwan through statements that combine projections of power with alternative motivations to tease uncertainty.
According to Rubio’s assessment of China’s power the administration might adjust its stance according to both domestic political factors and international progressions. Trump plans to overhaul his trade policy to exit free trade agreements and advance American manufacturing. The administration intends to increase domestic market demands to obtain equivalent benefits from foreign nations. The government’s present commitment to de-risking from China will persevere, although it may incorporate selective cooperation with Chinese investment and technology assets. Trump’s trade agenda threatens the stability of multilateral trade agreements including the World Trade Organization (WTO) because they face likely difficulties adapting to his leadership style.
The unpredictable role of India stands out in this transforming global political system. Although India remains a low priority for Trump administration policy decisions, the relationship has potential areas of mutual agreement about China. As a primary element of its strategy, India can use the Quad Alliance to boost its strategic cooperation with the United States, at the same time handling its respective interests with caution. India needs to establish a balanced diplomatic strategy that connects economic reform programs to global progressing priorities alongside its relationships with both the U.S. and China.
Under Trump’s administration, the future of the United Nations stands in doubt because Elise Stefanik was appointed the U.S. Ambassador to the UN. The organization faces uncertainty about America’s future support for multilateralism thanks to Stefanik’s past criticisms during her role in the UN. The rise of complex global challenges calls for strong UN-style institutions to conduct effective collaborations that address climate change threats and manage security problems while responding to humanitarian emergencies. Today’s multiple strategic hedging environment shows countries worldwide rebalancing their diplomatic relationships due to changing power dynamics.
Nations large and small will face greater pressure to protect their interests through strategic measures due to the unfamiliarity created by President Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy guidelines. As it faces global relations transformed by the Trump era, India needs to develop balanced frameworks for domestic growth that support positive relationships with major powers. U.S. foreign policy principles designed to avoid military involvement while fixing home economics through transactional diplomacy will generate new dynamics between worldwide nations. As countries navigate this new reality characterized by uncertainty and strategic hedging, they must remain adaptable while safeguarding their national interests in an increasingly multipolar world order.
References
- “A First Look at the Second Trump Administration’s National Security and Foreign Policy.” 2025. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. 2025. https://www.bhfs.com/insights/alerts-articles/2025/a-first-look-at-the-second-trump-administration-s-national-security-and-foreign-policy.
- Waterhouse, Benjamin. 2017. “Donald Trump: Foreign Affairs | Miller Center.” Miller Center. April 11, 2017. https://millercenter.org/president/trump/foreign-affairs.
- “Diplomacy and Geopolitics.” 2025. Diplomacy and Geopolitics. January 19, 2025. https://ambmokumar.com/blog/.
Shrivara Mahajan is pursuing an International Relations major with a minor in Public Policy at OP Jindal Global University. He is a Senior Intern at the Jindal Centre for the Global South and has priorly interned with The Spread Smile Foundation. Views expressed are the author’s own.
Nandhini T 
Aayush Pal