THE INSISTENCE ON TRANSACTIONALISM AND DONALD TRUMP’S FOREIGN POLICY – SOME LONG-TERM RISKS AND DISCONNECTS
THE INSISTENCE ON TRANSACTIONALISM AND DONALD TRUMP’S FOREIGN POLICY – SOME LONG-TERM RISKS AND DISCONNECTS

Summary/Abstract: Donald Trump’s second term as president of the United States has widely been expected to usher in a number of novel political developments in the foreign policy realm and contribute to major geopolitical recalibrations and even crucial realignments, marking a clean break with many international policies associated with Joe Biden’s administration, in part due to the non-traditional leadership style employed by the current commander-in-chief. This has largely turned out to be the case during Trump’s first 100 days, with his foreign policy frequently characterized as ticking the boxes of a transactionalist approach to international relations, emphasizing win-lose negotiations, short-term gains, a skeptical attitude towards multilateralism, and a willingness to downplay the value of historical alliances. The paper employs a qualitative methodology, which includes integrated analysis and entails synthesis that weaves together content from a multitude of secondary sources within the social sciences. It fulfils three primary objectives. Firstly, by examining the likely transformations in the power dynamics within the international system, it suggests that transactionalism is unlikely to bring about long-term benefits from the standpoint of the United States’ national interests because the country, in accordance with the prevailing trends, is by no means guaranteed to remain the undisputed hegemon in the conceivable future. Secondly, in terms of Trump’s stated personal ambition to leave a lasting legacy as a peacemaker in international relations, especially with regard to the Russo-Ukrainian war, the paper advances the argument that a transactional modus operandi in international relations may turn out to be counter-productive in terms of a satisfactory resolution to the conflict, especially given that it may be at odds with more promising methods of applying pressure on Russia. Thirdly, subscribing to a transactionalist perspective may actually turn out to contradict some of the tenets of political conservatism and may to a degree result in alienating the president’s own supporters, thus reducing his political capital among the members of some of his core constituencies.

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