As Trump’s time runs out, this could be his most dangerous legacy: a world divided into three | Steve Bloomfield
As Donald Trump enters his final two years as president with likely losses in Congress, he is pursuing a dangerous foreign policy agenda that could reshape global power structures.
With control of Congress slipping away and domestic policy prospects dimming, Trump is turning to the world stage where he still retains power. Unlike previous presidents who pursued peaceful initiatives in their final terms, Trump's ambitions appear far more dangerous. The US is understood to be planning to restart its unwinnable war with Iran, already conducting military exercises with Israel and withdrawing diplomats from the region.
Trump's approach to Ukraine has shifted dramatically, with him recently stating that 'Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine.' His envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, praising him as a 'humanitarian' and commending his actions. This represents a significant appeasement policy toward Russia at the expense of European security.
Three-power summit
Putin has proposed a summit between himself, Trump, and China's Xi Jinping to be held in China next month. Such an unprecedented meeting would have potentially devastating consequences for the rest of the world. The three leaders aim to transform global governance by dividing the world into spheres of influence, fundamentally altering the post-Cold War international order.
there has not been a president who has been more beneficial for China than Donald Trump
Strategic realignment
The Trump administration's National Security Strategy revealed a dramatic shift away from traditional allies. While critical of European and east Asian partners, the document avoided direct criticism of Russia and China. China was actually praised as 'rich and powerful … using its wealth and power to its considerable advantage,' while the section on Russia's war in Ukraine focused on mending US-Russia relations rather than addressing Russia's aggression.
For Putin, this represents a success nearly three decades in the making, as Trump now views American support for democracy in eastern Europe as interference in Russia's backyard. Xi has welcomed the US's rhetorical retreat from east Asia, particularly regarding maritime control in the East China Sea and South China Sea.
Global consequences
The potential realignment extends beyond territorial control to economic ties and technological dominance. All three nations are key players in the next space race, both commercially and militarily. If these three nations begin cooperating at the expense of Europe and the rest of the world, it would fundamentally change geopolitics, replacing the traditional multipolar model of US, China, and EU with US, China, and Russia.
While Trump arrives at such a summit as a weakened lame-duck president, Putin and Xi represent authoritarian leaders in their early 70s who believe they can rule for decades more. The image of these three leaders together could define this era when the rules-based international order was torn apart, creating a new, uncertain global landscape.
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