17 November 2024

Trump Act II spells the end of the American empire

The re-election of Donald Trump indicates a fundamental change in the United States' relationship with the world, reflecting a growing lack of confidence in international institutions, and a weariness of global responsibilities, likely leading to significant damage to multilateral organisations. Trump's characteristically transactional approach and aggressive tariff policies will spell trouble for Asia. The consequences of a second Trump presidency are likely to include increased difficulty in maintaining security cooperation, issues surrounding defence budget financing, economic impacts due to increased tariffs, and further disconnection between the US and Chinese economies.