President Donald Trump’s implementation of tariffs against numerous countries has led to significant disruptions in stock markets, the U.S. bond market, and the global economy as a whole.
This approach has not only economically but also politically threatened American allies, leading to a fragmentation of Western unity.
However, such chaos could paradoxically pave the way for the emergence of a more balanced and equitable world order.
While some Western commentators position the United States as a benevolent superpower, this perspective often overlooks the historical context of American interventions that have negatively impacted much of the Global South.
As the U.S. grapples with its tarnished relationships, there is a growing discourse around the possibility that the Western world is on the brink of losing its supremacy in the global landscape.
This potential decline may not be as dire as some may view it; instead, it may open avenues for establishing a fairer international order devoid of the moral and cultural biases that have characterized the Western-led system.
In this scenario, American power being curtailed could lead to a more peaceful world where conflict is less frequently instigated by the U.S., particularly in collaboration with allies that have been alienated by recent U.S. foreign policy.
Political scientist Stacie Goddard, in a recent article for Foreign Affairs, observes that the global stage is shifting towards a multipolar landscape dominated by major powers, namely the U.S., Russia, and China, each striving to carve out their respective spheres of influence.
In Asia, the U.S. is adamant about maintaining its disproportionate authority, yet its neighbors harbor fears about American expansionism.
Comparatively, while Russia possesses certain imperialistic ambitions, its limited military capacity hampers its ability to maintain dominance over Europe, especially with its struggles evident in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In the wake of Trump’s tariffs, China has demonstrated resilience by negotiating a 90-day tariff pause, seen as a victory for its previously aggressive negotiation tactics.
This success has solidified China’s aspirations for a defined sphere of influence but also highlights China’s restrained approach to foreign policy, which largely avoids military intervention.
Since its conflict with Vietnam in 1979, China has not resorted to military force, instead favoring economic partnerships and development initiatives that benefit both itself and the countries in the Global South.
As it champions renewable energy technologies globally, China positions itself as a potential ally for poorer nations looking to bypass traditional carbon-based energy sources in favor of sustainable alternatives.
In light of Trump’s tariffs, discussions among China, South Korea, and Japan have emerged, centering around a renewed free-trade agreement—indicating a commitment to global trade even amidst U.S. retreat from globalization.
Meanwhile, concerns about the dominance of Chinese manufacturing persist as many Asian countries tread cautiously in their engagement with China.
As the world steadily moves toward a new international order, new organizations like the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, among others) are establishing structures such as the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to challenge traditional Western predominance.
Although the United Nations remains a primary forum for international diplomacy, its authority has faced challenges, particularly from Western nations, that have sometimes undermined its efficacy.
As Europe navigates its own internal dynamics, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, remarked on the evolving nature of Western unity, signaling that “The West as we knew it no longer exists.”
While Western states may continue to seek to exert their influence, proposals from countries such as Canada illustrate attempts to fortify alliances among like-minded nations that prioritize trade and institutions aligned with Western interests.
This approach, however, risks perpetuating the marginalization of Global South countries within the international decision-making framework.
Many nations in the Global South grapple with their own challenges, including the lasting impacts of colonialism, while engaging with a system historically skewed in favor of Western nations.
Yet, even in the face of economic and political instability, there is a growing commitment among these nations to uphold international law, often seeing the need for stable, fairly applied global regulations as paramount to their development.
The waning influence of the U.S. could, ironically, lead to the establishment of a more legitimate rules-based international order that prioritizes the needs of these smaller states.
However, shifting the global economy from a U.S.-centric model to one that is more diverse and equitable will undoubtedly be a challenging and disruptive process.
Yet loosening U.S. dominance on global power is a critical first step toward creating a fairer international landscape.
In this unexpected turn of events, the world may find itself owing a debt of gratitude to Trump for catalyzing these necessary changes.
image source from：https://theconversation.com/is-donald-trump-doing-the-world-a-favour-by-isolating-the-united-states-252671
