US President Donald Trump's foreign policy is likely to be much stronger and more planned in his second term than in the first. That is surprising to world leaders. Donald Trump's second presidency has been different in many ways from the beginning. The matter has already come to the attention of the world. The challenges of Trump's foreign policy in 2025 are forcing the wise and intelligent people of every country in the world to think. Trump's foreign policy approach is significantly different from the systematic activities of his first term. Every year brings new challenges and opportunities. The US foreign policy of the newly formed Trump administration will be revealed from January 20, 2025. Following the tradition of previous presidents, Donald Trump's foreign policy will also include US control and surveillance. For this reason, the entire world's attention is now on US foreign policy.
The confusion of the outgoing Biden administration about Donald Trump was endless. At different times, they tried to say with different tactics that two major wars would never end if Donald Trump became president again. The two wars are the Russia-Ukraine war and the Hamas-Israel war. Donald Trump, however, has repeatedly spoken about resolving the Russia-Ukraine war. He has confidently said that he will be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine very quickly. He has got that opportunity by being elected president. In the past, Trump and some of his top advisers have expressed doubts and opposition to the provision of American weapons aid to Ukraine. Researchers also believe that US intervention in resolving the Russia-Ukraine war will be unforgettable if Trump sits in the White House.
Trump recently appointed Keith Kellogg as his special envoy to deal with the Russia-Ukraine war. Keith Kellogg's real name is Joseph Keith Kellogg Jr. Keith Kellogg is a diplomat and retired lieutenant general of the US Army. He served as the national security advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence. He also served as the executive secretary and chief of staff of the US National Security Council during Donald Trump's first term. After being elected to a second term as president in November 2024, Donald Trump selected Keith Kellogg as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Keith Kellogg is trying to convince Ukraine to negotiate a ceasefire. He has also threatened to cut off future aid if Ukraine does not agree. There has even been talk of cancel NATO membership. On the other hand, he has also said that sanctions should be eased to convince Russia to negotiate a ceasefire.
The war in Gaza has been ongoing. The Trump administration's approach to Israel may not be particularly characteristic. Trump's picks for foreign policy advisers are all largely pro-Israel. For example, his nominee for Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, recently wrote that "Palestinians are not an obstacle to Israelis living peacefully in their historic homeland." The Trump administration is also coming up with a specific policy in dealing with European allies. Trump's hostile attitude toward NATO during his first term posed a challenge for the organization. As a result, the organization has sought to gain strength from new members under Joe Biden. But it has faced internal tensions and multiple threats from Russia. Advocates for greater European cooperation on security and autonomy from the United States on defence are hoping that their efforts will gain momentum in the Trump administration's second term.
On the other hand, Trump's strong opposition to illegal immigration will define Washington's relations with Central and South America. Trump's "America First" vision is clear, opposing sending US taxpayer dollars abroad without a clear return. So there is a possibility of a reduction in US aid to developing countries. This possibility could be based on previous aid and the promotion of US values. The relationship with India is likely to continue. Again, Trump's advisors do not consider India to be a concern.
China is one of the few areas of bilateral agreement in Washington. These agreements are also called long-term threats to the United States. For years, Trump has spoken both negatively and positively about China and Chinese President Xi Jinping. But his advisers have mostly been critical of Beijing. Moreover, the US defence establishment views China as its "dynamic threat" and a top potential challenger to American power and interests. The Trump administration has good reason to view China as a major competitor and threat. Trump wants to shift resources away from the Middle East and toward East Asia. The same has been true of the past several presidents, albeit with limited success.
It will be important to see how the Trump administration shapes the details of its approach to China. Trump has promised very high tariffs against Beijing. But both official and unofficial advisers who oppose him have opposed it. Some of his advisers want to support Taiwan. But Trump is unwilling to risk significant military losses to defend the island. He wants to strengthen economic ties rather than military confrontation with Beijing. China will loom large in US foreign policy, but the details of how the Trump administration will address the challenge are not yet entirely clear.
The Trump administration's future foreign policy is shaping up to pose a challenge to US allies in the Pacific, including South Korea and Japan. South Korea has particular reason to be concerned about the depth of US commitment to its alliance. Trump has stated that he wants a more transactional relationship. Recent media reports suggest that Trump wants to engage with North Korea again. East Asian security will depend on how Trump engages with China and North Korea, as well as how Beijing and Pyongyang respond.
The Biden administration has placed significant emphasis on cooperation to address global concerns such as climate change. But Trump and many of his advisers have expressed a disdain for international institutions. For example, Elise Stefanik, the UN ambassador-designate, has been a vocal critic of the institution. Trump has called climate change "a hoax" and said he would withdraw from the Paris Agreement if possible. He said so in his first term. More attention should be paid to the new challenges posed by the Trump administration in 2025. The Trump administration's ability and competence will be measured by more judgment and consideration rather than hasty reactions to any issue.
The writer is a teacher, Cantonment Board High School, Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment, Ghatail, Tangail
