The Trump Doctrine: Punish Allies, Negotiate with Adversaries

A new foreign policy doctrine may be emerging under President Trump, one that appears to prioritize negotiating with adversaries while being willing to punish allies who step out of line. This approach is clearly visible in the current US policies towards India and Russia.
The punishment of an ally is evident in the 50% tariffs being imposed on India. The reason given is India’s oil trade with Russia, a move that the Trump administration sees as undermining its foreign policy goals.
The negotiation with an adversary is seen in the high-level talks between US and Russian officials. These discussions are exploring major energy deals, including a potential return for Exxon Mobil, as a way to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough on the Ukraine conflict.
This doctrine, if it is one, is highly transactional. It treats international relationships not as fixed alliances but as fluid arrangements where actions are met with either penalties or rewards based on their alignment with immediate US objectives. This has created a more unpredictable and challenging global environment for America’s traditional partners.