Trump's Impact on Global Dynamics: A Year of Shifting Orders

Wed Jan 21 2026 23:58:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Lyse Doucet reflects on the transformative, and controversial, actions of President Donald Trump, suggesting his administration is reshaping global power dynamics more than any other leader since World War II.

As Trump marks a year into his second term, his aggressive approach towards allies and bold declarations, including his intention toward Greenland, have sent shockwaves through global relations, provoking a debate on the future of international norms and alliances. Analysts warn of a potential 'world without rules' as the US leader appears willing to disregard established agreements.

On day one, he put the world on notice. Nothing will stand in our way, President Donald Trump declared, to thunderous applause, as he ended his inauguration speech in a cold Washington winter on this day last year, at the start of his second term.

Did the world fail to take enough notice?

Tucked into his speech was a mention of the 19th Century doctrine of manifest destiny – the idea that the US was divinely ordained to expand its territory across the continent, spreading American ideals. At that moment, the Panama Canal was in his sights. We're taking it back, Trump announced. Now that same declaration is directed at Greenland, with We have to have it becoming a new mantra.

US history is littered with consequential invasions, yet no president has threatened to seize land from a longtime ally. Trump's presidency is now leading to an unprecedented disruption of established global norms following World War Two. No US leader has so brutally broken political norms and threatened long-standing alliances which have underpinned the world order.

Trump’s approach has moved him closer to being considered one of the most transformative presidents in American history, inciting cheers from supporters and alarms from world leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron issued a warning on the losses of international law, stating: It's a shift toward a world without rules, where the only law that seems to matter is the strongest with imperial ambitions resurfacing.

Concerns are mounting over a potential trade war and a crisis within NATO if Trump pursues forceful actions regarding Greenland. His defenders emphasize the America First ideology, openly challenging global cooperation. Republican congressman Randy Fine suggested the UN has failed and that aggressive actions could be justified.

The diplomatic landscape is complicated. Allies express confusion over Trump's unpredictable shifts, while others are alarmed by their implications. Trump is seen alternately as isolationist and interventionist, but he remains grounded in his agenda: Make America Great Again.

International leaders from Canada to Europe struggle to navigate diplomatic waters fraught with Trump's brash tactics. Amidst all this, American allies grapple with how to respond, hoping their influence can steer Trump's course away from a provocative stance. The world watches closely as a potential rupture in international relations looms large under Trump's leadership.