Trump’s Global Strategy: A Network of Autocrats?

Donald Trump’s foreign policy approach, marked by a preference for strongmen over traditional allies, continues to shape his political strategy. Since leaving office, Trump has actively courted autocratic leaders like El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, and Argentina’s Javier Milei, often praising their policies and offering support. These leaders, many of whom have faced criticism for human rights abuses and democratic backsliding, have found a receptive audience in the Trump camp, which views them as allies in the fight against globalism and liberal values. While Trump and his allies argue that they are finding common ground with these leaders, critics contend that such alliances undermine American leadership and weaken US moral authority on the world stage. This strategy has raised concerns about the future of US foreign policy should Trump regain the presidency, potentially leading to a shift away from traditional alliances and a stronger embrace of authoritarianism.