Trump's Diplomacy Reshapes NATO, Global Alliances

Since President Donald Trump took office in 2025, his approach to global diplomacy has emphasized a shift toward a multipolar world order, where major powers like the US, China, and Russia dominate distinct regions rather than one state holding overarching global control. Trump's diplomatic model involves making bold demands, engaging in negotiations, and applying pressure through threats or praise, as seen in his dealings with Iran and NATO, which resulted in military action and increased European defense spending respectively. His insistence on NATO members increasing defense contributions to 5% of GDP has been met with both compliance and excessive flattery from allies, with leaders like NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney adopting deferential tones to maintain favorable relations. This dynamic, termed "daddy diplomacy," reflects a strategy of using praise and grand gestures to secure cooperation, transforming traditional alliances into relations marked by vassal-like loyalty. Europe is increasingly pursuing independent security interests, while the US under Trump maintains a firm sphere of influence in the Middle East, evidenced by support for Israel and strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump's tough negotiating tactics and demand for American interests first continue to reshape global alliances and the world order.