When Donald Trump returned to the White House, he promised an “America First” foreign policy, pledging to keep the United States out of foreign wars and prioritize domestic interests. But two years into his second term, his administration has been deeply involved in conflicts and diplomatic disputes around the world, ranging from Ukraine and the Middle East to territorial posturing regarding Greenland and Canada, alongside military intervention in Venezuela.
One of Trump’s most prominent campaign promises was to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, which he vowed to resolve on his first day back in office. Now in its fifth year, the conflict has instead been marked by dramatic shifts in Washington’s relationship with Kyiv. Tensions reached a low point in February 2025, when Trump and Vice-President JD Vance publicly berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a heated Oval Office meeting, accusing him of failing to show sufficient appreciation for American support. The confrontation was followed by a temporary U.S. suspension of military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Washington’s position on weapons deliveries has also fluctuated. Ukraine has repeatedly sought additional Patriot air defense systems to protect its cities and infrastructure, but deliveries have been limited amid depleted U.S. stockpiles. Trump subsequently welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin back onto the international stage at a summit in Alaska, where the two leaders discussed the war without reaching an agreement, with Trump acknowledging that negotiations had yet to produce a breakthrough. Relations between Washington and Kyiv faced further strain over Trump’s announcement of a diesel export deal with Russia, which Zelensky criticized as a weak decision. More recently, Putin proposed a trilateral summit involving Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss Ukraine, despite Kyiv itself not being invited to the table.
Trump’s foreign policy has also raised questions about Washington’s relationships with close allies, particularly after he repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring territory belonging to NATO partners. Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, became a particular focus as Trump argued the U.S. needed the island for national security reasons. In January 2026, he refused to rule out using military force to take control of the territory, despite assurances from both Greenland and Denmark that it was not for sale. The comments prompted European allies to rally behind Greenland, with some deploying military personnel to the territory. Trump responded by threatening higher tariffs against countries that opposed his plans. In September, the United States, Denmark, and Greenland signed a new defense agreement expanding America’s military presence on the island without transferring sovereignty.
Canada has also been a target of Trump’s territorial rhetoric. He repeatedly referred to the country as America’s 51st state, mocking former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau by calling him Governor Trudeau, and falsely claiming that Canadians wanted to join the United States to benefit from lower taxes and better healthcare. Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, firmly rejected the idea, but ties between the neighbors remain strained as Ottawa seeks to align itself closer to Europe.
In Latin America, Trump’s approach has been dubbed the Donroe Doctrine, a play on his name and the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. Trump explicitly embraced the comparison in January 2026 following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, who was taken to the United States to face criminal charges. Following Maduro’s capture, Trump said American oil companies would help rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry, and Washington has since secured control over Venezuelan oil reserves and influence over how proceeds are spent, though a promised return to democracy remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the U.S. military has carried out a series of strikes against vessels in the Caribbean off Venezuela’s coast, killing hundreds of people. The administration described the targets as narco-terrorist boats involved in drug trafficking, but officials have not provided evidence that the vessels were carrying drugs, raising questions about the legal basis for the operations.
In the Middle East, Trump began his second term as a staunch supporter of Israel, maintaining Washington’s backing for its military campaign in Gaza. However, his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also faced moments of tension. In February 2025, Trump sparked widespread international criticism when he proposed a U.S. takeover of the Gaza Strip and the resettlement of its Palestinian population, sharing an AI-generated video depicting Gaza transformed into a luxury seaside resort dubbed the Riviera of the Middle East. He later presented a 20-point Gaza peace plan alongside Netanyahu in September 2025. A ceasefire took effect the following month, securing the release of all remaining hostages and increasing humanitarian access. However, a year later, the wider plan remains largely stalled amid continued Israeli strikes, an armed Hamas, and a disarmament standoff.
In February 2026, Trump joined Israel in launching a war against Iran, marking one of the most consequential foreign policy decisions of his presidency, particularly striking given his previous criticism of Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign when he accused her of risking a Middle East war. The U.S.-Israeli military campaign resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other senior officials. Iran subsequently asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, sparking major disruption to international shipping and energy supplies. Despite initially fighting alongside Israel, Trump and Netanyahu have since disagreed over how to bring the conflict to an end, with Trump exploring a potential deal with Tehran while Netanyahu advocates continued military action.
