Trump's stringent policies are likely to strain America's international relations further

By Vikas Meshram*

In November 2024, Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election with a massive majority, marking the beginning of his second term as the 47th President of the United States. His return to power has been marked by several controversial decisions that are poised to significantly impact America's domestic and international policies, as well as global politics. His strategic approach highlights a strong inclination toward nationalism and protectionism.

One of Trump's first and most controversial decisions in this term was granting pardons to nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the January 2021 Capitol riots. While this move pleased his supporters, it faced widespread opposition across various quarters. Trump described these individuals as "patriots" who fought for the rights of the "real America." However, this decision has raised significant concerns about the autonomy of the judiciary.

Trump also decided to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing it of failing to manage the COVID-19 pandemic effectively and showing bias toward China. Despite the U.S. being a major financial contributor to the WHO, this bold decision has far-reaching implications for global health initiatives, including programs targeting diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. The U.S. funds 18% of the WHO’s budget, and its withdrawal is expected to exacerbate challenges faced by global health programs.

Signing an order to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, Trump targeted multilateralism, creating a new precedent. Since George W. Bush's withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, the U.S. has become the only country to exit climate agreements three times. Trump's second withdrawal, especially at a time when the world has recorded its first calendar year with temperatures exceeding 1.5°C, has drawn global disappointment.

The U.S., as the world's second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases and its most powerful economy, holds a significant responsibility for global climate leadership. However, with a history of reneging on such commitments, particularly under Trump, the world is questioning America's reliability in addressing climate change. By 2022, the U.S. had achieved only one-third of its 2030 emission reduction target. Trump's emphasis on fossil fuel production further threatens the global environment.

Trump has also taken a hardline stance on immigration, proposing to revoke the birthright citizenship of undocumented immigrants' children. This decision could have serious repercussions for immigrant families. Additionally, he has signaled stricter restrictions on immigration to the U.S.

Another controversial proposal is the imposition of a 100% import tariff on BRICS countries, including India. This decision could severely impact the economies of these nations, especially India, which plays a pivotal role in trade between the U.S. and BRICS countries. Indian exporters and importers could face significant setbacks.

Trump's second term has also been marked by unconventional and contentious proposals, such as claiming rights over the Panama Canal, incorporating Greenland into the U.S., and revoking rights for the transgender community. These proposals have sparked widespread debates and criticism.

One of his more polarizing proposals is the repeal of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all individuals born in the United States. While this decision could significantly impact immigrant families, it is expected to face extensive legal challenges.

Trump's stringent policies are likely to strain America's international relations further. Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, exiting the WHO, and imposing tariffs on BRICS countries could tarnish the U.S.'s image in the global community. His prioritization of industrial growth over environmental concerns has long-term implications for global environmental crises.

Despite widespread criticism domestically and internationally, Trump enjoys immense popularity among his supporters. His second term has begun with a bold and unconventional agenda, making it a pivotal period in global politics. Moving forward, it will be essential to reassess America's policies and responsibilities to prioritize global cooperation and accountability. The long-term implications of Trump's decisions will become evident over time, but for now, his second term marks a significant chapter in international relations.

---

*Journalist

Comments

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

The Vande Mataram debate and the politics of manufactured controversy

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The recent Vande Mataram debate in Parliament was never meant to foster genuine dialogue. Each political party spoke past the other, addressing its own constituency, ensuring that clips went viral rather than contributing to meaningful deliberation. The objective was clear: to construct a Hindutva narrative ahead of the Bengal elections. Predictably, the Lok Sabha will likely expunge the opposition’s “controversial” remarks while retaining blatant inaccuracies voiced by ministers and ruling-party members. The BJP has mastered the art of inserting distortions into parliamentary records to provide them with a veneer of historical legitimacy.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

The cost of being Indian: How inequality and market logic redefine rights

By Vikas Gupta We, the people of India, are engaged in a daily tryst—read: struggle—for basic human rights. For the seemingly well-to-do, the wish list includes constant water supply, clean air, safe roads, punctual public transportation, and crime-free neighbourhoods. For those further down the ladder, the struggle is starker: food that fills the stomach, water that doesn’t sicken, medicines that don’t kill, houses that don’t flood, habitats at safe distances from polluted streams or garbage piles, and exploitation-free environments in the public institutions they are compelled to navigate.

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

Bangladesh alternative more vital for NE India than Kaladan project in Myanmar

By Mehjabin Bhanu* There has been a recent surge in the number of Chin refugees entering Mizoram from the adjacent nation as a result of airstrikes by the Myanmar Army on ethnic insurgents and intense fighting along the border between India and Myanmar. Uncertainty has surrounded India's Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport project, which uses Sittwe port in Myanmar, due to the recent outbreak of hostilities along the Mizoram-Myanmar border. Construction on the road portion of the Kaladan project, which runs from Paletwa in Myanmar to Zorinpui in Mizoram, was resumed thanks to the time of relative calm during the intermittent period. However, recent unrest has increased concerns about missing the revised commissioning goal dates. The project's goal is to link northeastern states with the rest of India via an alternate route, using the Sittwe port in Myanmar. In addition to this route, India can also connect the region with the rest of India through Assam by using the Chittagon...

Search This Blog