Donald Trump promised an “America First” foreign policy and pledged to keep the US out of foreign wars. But since returning to the White House, his administration has been deeply involved in conflicts around the world. From the war in Ukraine and threats to Greenland and Canada, to the US intervention in Venezuela, Trump's shifting approach to the Middle East and war with Iran, Vedika Bahl examines his foreign policy record since returning to office.
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 prioritise domestic interests. But two years into his second term, his administration has been deeply involved in conflicts and diplomatic disputes around the world.Here is a look back at some of the defining moments of his foreign policy since returning to office. 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.
But the conflict is now in its fifth year, and Trump's approach has 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 US 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 defence systems to protect its cities and infrastructure, but deliveries have been limited amid depleted US 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.
No agreement was reached, with Trump acknowledging that negotiations had yet to produce a breakthrough. Relations between Washington and Kyiv have since faced further strain, including over Trump's announcement of a diesel export deal with Russia, which Zelensky criticised 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.
Despite Trump's repeated promises to bring the conflict to an end, the war continues. Greenland and Canada: Trump's territorial ambitions strain relations with allies Trump's foreign policy has also raised questions about Washington's relationships with some of its closest 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.Trump argued that the United States needed Greenland for national security reasons.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
