Donald Trump: A Global Danger or a Misunderstood Disruptor?
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency of the United States in January 2025 has reignited debates about his impact on global stability. Critics argue that his leadership style, policy decisions, and rhetoric pose significant risks to international security, economic order, and democratic norms. Supporters, however, view him as a necessary counterweight to entrenched global elites and outdated systems. This article explores the ways in which Trump is perceived as dangerous to the world, drawing on his past record, recent actions, and the broader implications of his second term.
A Transactional Foreign Policy in a Fragile World
Trump’s foreign policy has long been characterized by transactionalism—an approach that prioritizes short-term deals over long-term alliances. During his first term (2017–2021), he questioned the value of NATO, withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, and exited the Iran nuclear deal, moves that critics say weakened global cooperation. In his second term, early indications suggest a continuation of this pattern. For instance, his imposition of sweeping tariffs—25% on goods from Canada and Mexico and up to 20% on other nations—announced in early 2025, has sparked fears of a global trade war. Economists warn that such measures could disrupt supply chains, raise inflation, and push the world economy toward recession, echoing concerns from a 2023 Economist article that labeled him “the biggest danger to the world in 2024.”
The Atlantic Council noted in November 2024 that Trump inherits a more perilous world than during his first term, with escalating tensions involving China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. His campaign promise to end the Ukraine war swiftly—revised by his envoy Keith Kellogg to a 100-day “solution”—raises questions about whether he might pressure Ukraine into concessions that embolden autocrats like Vladimir Putin. Critics fear that abandoning Ukraine could signal weakness to adversaries, destabilizing Europe and beyond.
Eroding Democratic Norms
Trump’s rhetoric and actions have also been accused of undermining democracy globally. During his first term, he praised leaders like Putin, Kim Jong-un, and Xi Jinping, while clashing with democratic allies. His recent statements, such as calling for military action against the “enemy within” (e.g., political opponents like Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi), have alarmed observers. The Hannah Arendt Center argued in October 2024 that Trump’s behavior erodes trust in institutions and factual reality, fostering cynicism that weakens democratic accountability worldwide.
This influence extends beyond the U.S. Authoritarian leaders may see Trump’s success as validation of their own tactics—centralizing power, silencing dissent, and rejecting multilateralism. Amnesty International warned on January 20, 2025, that his campaign’s targeting of vulnerable groups, like immigrants and transgender youth, mirrors “authoritarian playbooks,” potentially inspiring similar policies elsewhere.
Climate Crisis: A Step Backward
Trump’s stance on climate change is another point of contention. He has called it a “hoax” and vowed to dismantle clean energy initiatives, a position reiterated in his 2024 campaign. The Guardian highlighted in October 2024 that a second Trump term could add billions of tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere by reversing environmental protections and boosting fossil fuel production. With the world facing a critical decade to halve emissions, as noted by scientists in a 2024 paper, his policies could push humanity closer to an “irreversible climate disaster.”
While clean energy growth has momentum, Trump’s withdrawal from international climate frameworks like the Paris Agreement—expected to happen swiftly this time—could hinder global coordination. Developing nations, reliant on U.S. support, may suffer most as extreme weather events intensify.
Economic Disruption and Tariff Threats
Trump’s economic nationalism, epitomized by his tariff agenda, poses risks to global markets. His 2025 tariffs, justified as a response to illegal immigration and drug trafficking, have already prompted retaliation threats from Canada, the EU, and China. The BBC reported on January 9, 2025, that these measures could spiral uncertainty, with the European Central Bank’s Christine Lagarde warning of inflationary pressures. China, facing tariffs on $500 billion in goods, may see its export-driven economy falter, compounding domestic challenges and potentially destabilizing Asia.
Smaller economies, like Canada’s, are particularly vulnerable. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation in December 2024 was partly attributed to Trump’s tariff threats, illustrating how U.S. policies can ripple outward, destabilizing allies.
Nuclear and Military Risks
Trump’s control over the world’s most powerful military and nuclear arsenal adds another layer of concern. His first term saw fiery exchanges with North Korea, raising fears of accidental conflict. The 2017 book The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, authored by 27 mental health experts, described him as impulsive and self-serving—traits that, paired with nuclear authority, could be catastrophic. While he avoided starting new wars previously, his unpredictable style and preference for generals over diplomats (noted by the BBC in 2018) could escalate tensions in hotspots like Taiwan or the Middle East.
A Counterperspective: Strength Through Disruption?
Supporters argue that Trump’s approach is a strength, not a danger. A Newsweek opinion piece from October 31, 2024, claimed his push for higher allied defense spending and advanced military technology (e.g., the Space Force) bolsters global security. They see his tariff strategy as leveraging U.S. economic power to protect national interests, not destabilize the world. His unpredictability, they contend, keeps adversaries off balance.
Conclusion: A Divisive Legacy
Whether Donald Trump is a global danger depends on one’s lens. Critics see a leader whose policies threaten stability, democracy, and the planet, with effects felt from Kyiv to Kiribati. Supporters view him as a disruptor dismantling a flawed status quo. As of April 4, 2025, his second term is young, but early moves—like tariffs and hints at withdrawing from multilateral commitments—suggest a continuation of his polarizing approach. The world watches, uncertain if his legacy will be one of chaos or calculated change.
Credits
This article draws on insights from:
- The Atlantic Council (November 13, 2024) for geopolitical context.
- The Economist (November 16, 2023) for early warnings about Trump’s global impact.
- The Hannah Arendt Center (October 27, 2024) for democratic erosion analysis.
- The Guardian (October 28, 2024) for climate policy critique.
- The BBC (January 9, 2025, and January 20, 2025) for tariff and global reaction updates.
- Amnesty International (January 20, 2025) for human rights concerns.
- Newsweek (October 31, 2024) for a pro-Trump perspective.
- The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump (2017) for psychological assessments.
- General knowledge and critical analysis up to April 4, 2025.
