President Donald Trump begins his second tenure with his “America First” foreign policy, which represents determination to reconfigure the United States’ position within the International system. This doctrine, first articulated during his first term, was marked by the triad of isolationism, economic nationalism and a withdrawal from international accords and organizations. If Trump’s first term was characterized by bold moves to create a new global alignment, his second has been one of deepening these concepts. From the dismantling of U.S. foreign aid operations to “dissing” environmental agreements and imposing sanctions against international institutions, Trump’s strategy is redefining America’s role in the world.
Trump’s second tenure marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing isolationism, economic nationalism, and strategic disengagement.
One of the most consequential actions of the Trump second term is the radical evisceration of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). On its second day, the administration announced plans to reduce the agency’s staff from the original 8,000 to just 300 employees in early February 2025. Most USAID employees were put on administrative leave effective February 6, 2025, signaling the virtual shutdown of the majority of foreign aid programs. They included vital initiatives like landmine clearance in Asia, healthcare programs in Africa, and war veteran support in Ukraine.
The secretary of state, Marco Rubio, who is in charge of USAID during the reorganization, defended the change by saying that the agency’s programs had frequently not aligned with U.S. strategic interests. “We want to make certain that every dollar spent on foreign aid serves to further America’s interests,” Rubio said. The reduction is a pullback that has widespread repercussions.
The United States has been a leader in delivering humanitarian assistance, but the retreat leaves a void that China is ready to fill. Having cut back U.S. funding, China is taking the opportunity to replace it, offering developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America economic and infrastructure development assistance. Such a shift in influence is quite concerning; it could mean a further breach in democratic principles and governance standards that the U.S. has long remained at the forefront of upholding.
The Trump administration has characterized its actions as an attempt to put American interests first. Elon Musk, named to run the Department of Government Efficiency, backed USAID’s dissolution, arguing that no U.S. foreign assistance should go to projects not aligned with U.S. national security and economic interests. Musk said, “The president and I agreed that we should refocus on making sure every expenditure supports American prosperity.”
This retreat from international aid is especially consequential given U.S. interests in places like sub-Saharan Africa, where humanitarian and health programs are being suspended. The trimming back foreign assistance will not only harm vulnerable people but also erode U.S. influence in the world, providing China and other competitors an opportunity to exercise their own soft power.
It will affect global health and development through the withdrawal of billions in U.S. foreign aid. Initiatives like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have avoided cuts, but many other programs have been shuttered. This retreat from global leadership creates alarm among international organizations and foreign leaders.
The dismantling of USAID weakens global humanitarian aid, leaving a power vacuum for China to expand its influence in developing nations.
Former British prime minister Gordon Brown, who serves as a U.N. special envoy, contended that the United States has long been an example of generosity and said the move will make the world less stable. “America’s aid is an essential tool for advancing peace and democracy,” Brown stated. China, too, has seized the opportunity presented by this vacuum and is increasing its role in development projects worldwide. China’s growth threatens to undermine human rights and governance standards in recipient countries.
Trump’s “America First” doctrine remains a guiding ethos in U.S. environmental policy. On January 20, 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14162 and withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement. Trump, by focusing on the economic hi,t the accord put on American workers and businesses. Trump’s administration argues that global climate pacts unfairly weigh on the U.S. economy, especially in sectors such as coal, oil, and gas.
“American businesses should not be penalized for adhering to environmental standards that harm our economic competitiveness,” Trump declared in a statement after signing the executive order. This policy reversal solidifies Trump’s stance that international agreements should not infringe on U.S. sovereignty, reinforcing his “America First” approach.
On February 6, 2025, Trump also imposed new sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). That executive order sanctioned ICC officials involved in investigations of U.S. citizens, especially military personnel in Afghanistan. For years, the administration has criticized the ICC for trying to claim jurisdiction over U.S. citizens, saying the court was overreaching and infringing on U.S. sovereignty.
The sanctions had frozen assets and placed travel bans on ICC employees involved in attempting to prosecute U.S. and allied forces. This is all part of a larger policy to mitigate American influence in international institutions seen as unfriendly to U.S. interests. The current measures have further ratcheted up tensions with the global community over Trump’s previous decisions to impose sanctions on the court in 2020 in response to investigations into some U.S. personnel who fought in Afghanistan, which had already put a burden on relations.
Since the first week of Trump’s second presidency, US AI plan has taken a hit. First, the US announced heavy investment in AI followed by a deep seek launch by a Chinese company, which overtook all other AI companies and became largest downloaded app in several states in one week. Since then, us has scrambled to limit Chinese influence, which was a campaign promise of Trump.
Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement signals Trump’s commitment to economic interests over global environmental cooperation.
One more thing that was seen was threatening to take over the Panama Canal from Panama in the name of security forcefully if required. US claimed China controls it in violation of the handover agreement, though China controlled two ports on either side of the canal under BRI. Marco Rubio was to Panama, where we saw Panama withdrawing from BRI, which is the first anti-Chinese campaign success by the Trump administration
Trump wanted to make the government more efficient and save money. For this, he brought Elon Musk and gave him the Department of Government Efficiency. Since its formation, it has worked to cut off the force and offer a buyout offer: take 8 months’ pay and leave now. The main agenda is to replace career workers with loyalists. The Department of Justice is the main target. The government is now seeking retribution against those who worked on the January 6 cases and investigated Trump. Any fire in the name of efficiency would undermine the working of the federal law enforcement agency as it would affect large amount of agents.
Trump’s second tenure has represented a hardening of the “America First” doctrine that he promoted in his first tenure. Through his policies, the United States’ foreign relations have undergone a remarkable transformation with implications for global governance and international cooperation. Dismantling USAID, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, and turning against the ICC are manifestations of a much larger initiative: putting U.S. interests at the top of the agenda and prioritizing withdrawal from global engagement.
Sanctioning ICC officials reinforces U.S. defiance of international institutions, prioritizing national sovereignty over global accountability.
And, while supporters say that such actions restore American strength and protect U.S. workers, critics say they risk eroding the country’s global sway and birthing a world order dominated by rival powers such as China. The U.S.’s retreat from leadership on issues including climate change, humanitarian assistance and international law could endure across both its reputation and its capacity to influence global policies in the future. As the world does a gel-float and shifts to this new paradigm, the long-term consequences of Trump’s foreign policy will continue to emerge, with America’s strategic position in question.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
