America First, Allies Second: Diving into Trump’s Foreign Policy in 2025
- Legally Speaking
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
Written by Naiesha Yerneni on March 1st, 2025
Storming into office on January 20, Donald Trump took the leadership with a pen in hand, a mandate in mind, and a determination to reshape America’s foreign policy, Donald Trump has taken a very vocal stance on foreign policy, using the slogan 'America First.' Previously popularized by the America First Committee before World War II, the phrase was later used by Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Warren G. Harding to justify isolationist policies. Now it is being used by Trump for his foreign policies.
On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order* "Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid," which enacted a 90-day pause on intervening in foreign affairs and obligations.By pausing commitments, the administration aimed to review agreements, evaluate spending, and ensure foreign aid aligned with national interests. According to the Atlantic, the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, was constructed to stop operations, leading to a suspension of critical humanitarian programs, which included vaccine campaigns and HIV drug distribution. The agency’s headquarters, in Washington D.C., was taken over by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and showed a shift towards prioritizing immediate national interests. As BBC states, DOGE was created to cut government waste and focus on reducing bureaucracy, ensuring policies that will directly benefit American citizens. Its involvement meant quicker decision-making and a stronger emphasis on domestic priorities over international commitments.
As with the war in Ukraine, in a change from the previous policy, President Trump has adopted a softer stance towards Russia while expressing skepticism towards Ukraine. Wall Street Journal states that he has criticized the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by labeling him as a “dictator” and suggesting that the US aid to Ukraine may be reconsidered. Trump’s administration has negotiated with Russia by proposing border changes to expand US territory towards Canada, Greenland, and even the Panama Canal according to PBS. This is signaling a shift towards a more transactional relationship where the allies are expected to contribute to gain favor from the United States.
The administration demonstrates a tendency to align with authoritarian governments that share similar cultural and economic policies. Vice President JD Vance expressed support for far-right parties in Germany at the Munich Security Conference. The shift could lead to the growth of a new International Security framework* under the US leadership which would be centered around a network of far-right and anti-democratic movements.
President Trump's foreign policy in 2025 shows his “America First” approach by prioritizing his authority over traditional alliances and overall cooperation with liberal countries. His administration’s actions range from stopping foreign aid to creating closer ties with authoritarian regimes which signals a shift towards following a quid pro quo* approach, over helping countries without expecting anything in return. While these policies resonate with his supporters, they have also created fears about America’s global leadership and the stability of its diplomatic ties. As the nation continues ahead under 'America First,' the world is watching, and uncertain of whether this marks a temporary shift or a lasting redefinition of U.S. foreign policy.
Glossary:
-Executive order: a directive issued by the president of the United States to take some specific action within the federal government
-Quid pro quo: a favor or advantage granted or expected in return for something.
-International Security framework: a collection of well-documented standards, policies, procedures, and best practices intended to strengthen an organization's security posture and reduce risk.
Sources cited
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