Trump’s Foreign Policy: A Strategy Built on Autocrats

Donald Trump’s foreign policy has been characterized by a preference for building relationships with autocratic leaders, a strategy that continues to shape his potential return to the White House. Trump’s embrace of figures like El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin has drawn criticism from experts who argue that it legitimizes these leaders and undermines American moral authority on the world stage. While Trump and his allies argue that they are finding common ground with leaders who share similar values, critics point to the dangers of aligning with figures who have a record of human rights abuses and democratic backsliding. The trend of courting autocratic leaders has extended beyond Trump’s presidency, with his supporters continuing to cultivate relationships with such figures, further solidifying his commitment to this approach.