Geopolitics › North America › United States
America First foreign policy (Trump second term)
Since Jan 2025· Issue or flashpoint
FactTreaties, membership, measured data, events.
Trump's second-term foreign policy: tariffs as leverage, pressure on allies, less aid and multilateralism, and readiness to use force nearby.
See it on the Geopolitics map →The picture
Since January 2025 the administration has raised tariffs to their highest levels since the 1930s, pressed NATO allies to pledge 5% of GDP for defense, dismantled USAID and left the WHO and the Paris climate deal. Its December 2025 National Security Strategy put the Western Hemisphere first. It has used force: strikes on Iran in June 2025, attacks on alleged drug boats, the January 2026 Maduro raid and war on Iran from February 2026. It also brokered deals, such as the 2025 Gaza ceasefire.
Why it matters
It upended assumptions allies relied on since 1945. Supporters say it restores US leverage and fair burden-sharing; critics say it erodes trust, alliances and international law.
Key facts and numbers
Executive orders in the Federal Register, the 2025 National Security Strategy, NATO's June 2025 Hague summit declaration, and US withdrawal notices to UN bodies. As of 2026.
What to watch
Outlook: whether it outlasts Trump or proves a detour, and whether allies' hedging, through Europe's rearmament or new trade with China, becomes permanent.
Inside this (1)
Connections (4)
▸Donald Trump launched America First foreign policy (Trump second term)Fact
The relationship
Trump revived 'America First', the slogan of the 1940 movement against entering World War II, in his 2016 campaign. In his second term he turned it into a program: tariffs as leverage, allied burden-sharing, cuts to aid and UN bodies, and force in the Western Hemisphere.
Since when and why
Announced in his January 20, 2025 inaugural address and day-one executive orders, then codified in the December 2025 National Security Strategy.
How we know
Executive orders, the 2025 National Security Strategy, withdrawal letters to the WHO and other bodies, and tariff proclamations, all public records.
What to watch
Whether America First is a coherent doctrine or a series of personal deals; his advisers range from restrainers to hawks, and policy swings between them.
▸America First foreign policy (Trump second term) produced 2025–26 US tariffs ('Liberation Day')Fact
The relationship
America First treats trade deficits as proof the US is being exploited and tariffs as leverage. Trump used them to demand factory investment, border enforcement and concessions from allies, imposing duties by emergency decree so he could raise, pause or cut them overnight, as with 'Liberation Day' on April 2, 2025.
Since when and why
The White House, from the February 2025 fentanyl tariffs and the April 2, 2025 reciprocal tariffs, carried out by Commerce, Treasury and the US Trade Representative.
How we know
Executive orders and proclamations citing trade deficits and national emergencies, and the January 20, 2025 'America First Trade Policy' memorandum that ordered the reviews behind them.
What to watch
Debated: whether the tariffs are mainly bargaining chips or a lasting turn to protectionism; officials have described them both ways.
▸America First foreign policy (Trump second term) pressed allies into NATO pledge: 5% of GDP on defense by 2035Fact
The relationship
Trump long accused Europeans of free-riding on US protection, and in 2024 said he would encourage Russia to do as it wished with allies that underpay. In January 2025 he demanded 5% of GDP. Allies, fearing US disengagement, agreed at The Hague that June. Trump hailed a win; NATO chief Mark Rutte credited his pressure.
Since when and why
Trump's demand at a January 7, 2025 press conference; pledge agreed at the NATO summit in The Hague, June 24–25, 2025.
How we know
Trump's public statements, Rutte's pre-summit message praising him, and the Hague declaration's 5% text; allies' own budgets also cite Russia's threat.
What to watch
Debated: how much credit goes to US pressure versus Russia's war in Ukraine, which had already pushed European defense spending up sharply since 2022.
▸America First foreign policy (Trump second term) pressured Panama over Panama CanalFact
The relationship
In his January 2025 inaugural address Trump said the US would take the canal back, alleging Chinese control and unfair fees; earlier that month he had refused to rule out force. Panama rejected the claims but made concessions: leaving the Belt and Road, and an April 2025 deal allowing rotating US troop deployments and priority passage for US warships.
Since when and why
Washington and Panama City; Secretary of State Rubio's February 2025 visit and Defense Secretary Hegseth's April 2025 visit, dealing with President José Raúl Mulino.
How we know
Trump's inaugural address and posts, State and Defense Department readouts, and Panama's joint declarations and public rebuttals.
What to watch
Disputed: whether US warships pass free, as Washington says, or pay through a compensation scheme, as Panama says; and whether the pressure lasts beyond Trump.