World
The US under Trump: second term
Updated 3h ago
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US foreign policy under the Trump administration is shifting decisively from multilateralism toward a doctrine of transactional bilateral bargaining, explicitly linking security commitments, economic access, and migration arrangements to bilateral concessions across theatres.
Trump publicly dismissed NATO attack concerns and downplayed a CIA director's Moscow visit, reinforcing the rhetorical shift on collective defense without a concrete policy decision.
State of play
NATO Posture and Russia
Trump told an interviewer on 27 August that Putin would not attack NATO territory and that he was unconcerned about Russian aggression against alliance members, downplaying reports that CIA Director Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow to warn Russian officials. The Pentagon's review of roughly 80,000 US troops in Europe prepares at least four options for Hegseth by 6 November, with European governments fearing cuts tied to bilateral support assessments.
Trade Pressures
Canada's retaliatory tariffs on C$20 billion of US goods take effect 8 September, with Ottawa removing fish and seafood from its target list while maintaining broader retaliation. A 90-day suspension of over-quota beef tariffs covers EU member states including Ireland, allowing up to 300,000 tons of lean beef trimmings without the 26.4% surcharge. Trump's order renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America" continues the symbolic confrontation.
Executive Power and Fiscal Strain
A Manhattan judge struck down the 75-country visa freeze; State and DHS are preparing to cancel B1 and B2 visas issued 2016–2026 to up to 200,000 asylum seekers. A worldwide pause on immigrant visa appointments is in effect for consular training. Trump declared a national emergency on 27 August to bar foreign equipment from the US electricity grid. US national debt has crossed $40 trillion as Bessent doubles long-term bond buybacks; Treasury targets five Iranian sectors with roughly 60 new designations and the rial trades above 2 million per dollar.
The next test is whether the Pentagon's 6 November deadline produces concrete troop-cut proposals and whether Canada's 8 September retaliation triggers escalation.
Key events
Full chronicle811
This week
- Trump dismisses NATO attack concerns, downplays CIA director Ratcliffe's Moscow visit
- Canada removes fish and seafood from C$20 billion counter-tariff list, maintains broader retaliation
- Beef tariff suspension covers EU member states including Ireland for 300,000 tons over 90 days
- Pentagon troop review for Hegseth due 6 November; European governments fear bilateral-conditioned cuts