Two Years In, Trump's Foreign Policy Defies Campaign Promises
Two years into his second term, US President Donald Trump's foreign policy has diverged from his initial non-interventionist campaign pledges.
At a glance
- President Donald Trump promised an America First foreign policy, but his administration remains deeply involved in international conflicts and disputes.
- Relations with Ukraine have experienced severe friction, including a public dispute in the Oval Office and fluctuating military support.
- The administration pursued territorial ambitions regarding Greenland and Venezuela, while navigating complex relations in the Middle East.
When US President Donald Trump returned to the White House, he campaigned on an America First platform pledging that domestic matters would take priority while avoiding overseas conflicts entirely. Two years into his second term, however, his administration has been deeply involved in a series of conflicts, territorial disputes, and diplomatic standoffs around the globe.
From ongoing tensions over military aid to Ukraine and confrontations with European allies over Greenland to military interventions in Latin America and shifting strategies in the Middle East, the administration's foreign policy has frequently departed from its initial non-interventionist rhetoric.
Ukraine and European Allies
Trump entered office vowing to end Russia's war in Ukraine on his first day. Instead, the conflict has continued, marked by strained relations between Washington and Kyiv. In February 2025, a heated Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky led to a temporary suspension of US military assistance and intelligence sharing.
Ukraine has repeatedly sought additional Patriot air defence systems to protect its cities and infrastructure, but deliveries have been limited amid depleted US stockpiles. Meanwhile, Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to a summit in Alaska, and later announced a diesel export deal with Russia that Zelensky criticised as a weak decision. European allies also rallied in response to Trump's expressed interest in acquiring Greenland for national security reasons, which included threats of tariffs before a trilateral defence agreement was signed in September.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Washington's approach to Latin America has been characterized by what Trump termed the Donroe Doctrine, invoking the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. In January 2026, a US military operation in Venezuela culminated in the detention of President Nicolas Maduro, taken away to face criminal charges in the United States.
Following Maduro's capture, American oil companies moved to help rebuild Venezuela's oil industry, with Washington securing control over reserves and influence over proceeds. Additionally, the US military has conducted strikes against vessels in the Caribbean, which officials described as targeting drug trafficking, though questions have been raised regarding the legal justification for operations that resulted in hundreds of deaths.
Analysis
The divergence between campaign rhetoric and subsequent actions highlights the complex realities facing the White House in international affairs. While the administration has secured specific bilateral agreements, such as expanded military presence in Greenland and a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, broader strategic goals like ending the war in Ukraine or stabilizing Venezuela remain unresolved.
These developments shape Washington's standing among traditional NATO allies and redefine the parameters of American engagement abroad as the administration looks toward the remainder of its term.
What to watch: Further diplomatic engagements regarding the stalled Gaza peace plan and evolving relations between Washington and European NATO partners.
Reporting from: France 24. Spotted an error? Tell us.
- Foreign Policy
- United States
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