Philip Gordon and Mara Karlin said that U.S. allies were surprised by President Donald Trump’s actions during his second term [1].
This lack of adaptation suggests a disconnect between the reality of the current administration's foreign policy and the expectations of traditional partners. If allies fail to adjust their strategies, the stability of long-standing security, and economic agreements may be at risk.
In an essay published in Foreign Affairs, Gordon and Karlin examined why these partners were caught off-guard by the administration's policies. The authors said that allies have done little to change their stance or modify their approach to the relationship [1].
The analysis refers to a period almost one year into the second term [2]. This timeframe highlights a persistent gap between the administration's operational style and the diplomatic norms previously relied upon by the U.S. and its partners.
Gordon and Karlin wrote their initial essay six months prior to the discussion of these findings [3]. Their work seeks to determine if allies are finally beginning to adapt to the administration, or if they remain in a state of disbelief regarding the shift in U.S. leadership style.
The authors said that the surprise felt by these nations has hindered their ability to proactively manage the relationship. By failing to accept the current political reality, allies may be missing opportunities to negotiate more effectively with the White House [1].
“U.S. allies were surprised by President Donald Trump’s actions during his second term”
The observation that U.S. allies are slow to adapt indicates a systemic failure in diplomatic anticipation. When partner nations rely on historical precedents rather than current political behavior, they risk strategic misalignment, potentially weakening the collective security framework of the West during a volatile transition in U.S. foreign policy.
