The Trans-Atlantic Order, which was characterised by solid economic, military, political, and most importantly civilisational ties between the United States of America and its allies in Europe, has broken down almost irreparably. Today, the Trans-Atlantic Order is gasping for breath, trying its best to salvage the world’s most powerful and economically prosperous relationship.
This regional order was a beacon of the USA-led capitalist bloc during the Cold War and was the de facto power centre of the world in the post-Cold War period despite the emergence of new state actors. However, this order has gone through its fair share of ups and downs, mainly due to the uncontested hegemonic presence of the United States.
However, it is said in international politics that every order is in flux. In that context, US President Donald Trump’s second term at the helm of the world’s most powerful office has irreversibly changed the face of the trans-Atlantic order.
No More ‘We’
With the commencement of Donald Trump’s second tenure in office, there is a palpable sense of imbroglio among the various European capitals. In that context, the most visible impact is that there is no more ‘we’. The idea of Western civilisation being the cornerstone of the trans-Atlantic order now seems like a nostalgic moment – a fleeting sense of satisfaction.
Donald Trump’s first three months in office have made it clear to America’s European allies that they must fend for themselves now. From practically excluding Europe in the peace process of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, followed by routine criticisms of European democracies and institutions shows that the United States is returning to its policy of ‘isolationalism’, which was the holy grail of its foreign policy from the 18th to 20th centuries.
The USA has practically singled out Europe as an entity that has repeatedly taken the United States for a swing and has benefitted from American military and economic largesse ever since the end of the Second World War.
America’s threat to withdraw from NATO is clearly symptomatic of a mercurial political order in the Oval Office, which is insisting that it is no more ‘we’, but ‘us’ versus ‘you’.
Liberal Order – Rest in Peace
As Donald Trump has embarked on a no ‘we’ policy vis-à-vis the trans-Atlantic order, it is quite clear that the liberal world order, which was premised on the principles of democracy, security, human rights, fair and equitable trade and promotion of egalitarianism among the people of European descent (irrespective of their race, religion, creed, orientation etc), is now a dream.
The threat of the United States to withdraw from NATO is symptomatic of a mercurial political order in the Oval Office, which insists that there is no more ‘we’, but ‘us’ versus ‘you’
The announcement of sweeping tariffs on countries around the world, particularly targeting the European Union and the UK, has shown that Trumpism could care less about shared values and ideas.
Trump’s rationale behind the imposition of tariffs on the EU is that this supranational organisation enjoys a 200 billion euros trade surplus with the US and that by imposing tariffs, Trump was bringing manufacturing jobs back in the US has raised eyebrows in Europe with the latter planning to impose sweeping retaliatory tariffs on American goods and commodities in the coming times.
Deglobalisation is the New Norm
With the announcement of sweeping tariffs on different countries on ‘Liberation Day’, the Trumpian presidency has clearly signalled that globalisation is no longer welcome in America. The USA under Trump is moving inwards. Apart from slashing research funds, the Trump administration is taking action against students in the form of detention and deportation simply because of their ideological dispositions. It indicates that Trump and his acolytes no longer believe in the sanctity of fundamental American rights, particularly the right to freedom of speech and expression, which is the sine qua non of American democracy.
The initiation of a global trade war signals to the rest of the world that America is no longer willing to embrace globalisation, an idea that has cemented the global financial, cultural, and economic relationship since the 1990s.
The retaliatory measures to be taken not just by Europe but the rest of the world are likely to spark an economic downturn in the world economy, contributing to the creation of a global recession, which may come to haunt America itself.
With the USA’s inward-looking trade policies becoming the de-facto economic norm, it is very clear that globalisation will be a thing of the past.
In that case, Europe needs to be innovative, it needs to expand the basket of its allies and solidify relationships with its other allies. The expanding ambit of relationship with India is one such example.
Trump’s America reflects a society that promotes nativism both in domestic and global policies. It is high time that Europe learns the relevant lessons and improvises accordingly.
–The writer is currently working as a Research Associate at Defence Research and Studies (dras.in) and is a columnist. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
