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Reflection of Donald Trump on a table

US President Donald Trump at his desk in the Oval Office

The United States and Transatlantic Relations

With the 2024 presidential and congressional elections, voters gave Donald J. Trump and the Republican Party a clear mandate for a change of course in US politics. In addition to the presidency, both chambers of Congress are now firmly in the grip of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. The Trump administration came into office with a comprehensively prepared government agenda and staffed government positions accordingly. The administration’s domestic priorities include tax cuts, the dismantling of the administrative state, and migration policy. In order to implement these policies, Trump has invoked a far-reaching interpretation of executive powers and disregarded fundamental constitutional principles such as the rule of law and the separation of powers. Regarding foreign policy, the Trump administration is performing a U-turn in how it conducts its international leadership role across policy areas. In contrast to Trump’s first term in office, the change has moved beyond rhetoric, with massive negative consequences for the stability of the international order. Fundamental principles of international law, such as territorial integrity and sovereignty, are being called into question in favour of a transactional great power policy. The resulting uncertainty and unpredictability are undermining military alliances in Europe and Asia, while an erratic and sometimes arbitrary tariff policy puts pressure on the international trade and financial system. The traditional partnership between the United States and Europe is also at risk, more so than at any time since the Second World War.

This dossier brings together SWP analyses and contributions by SWP staff on US policy and transatlantic relations. It is divided into the thematic areas of foreign and security policy, domestic policy and society, and economy and trade.

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