I am not, by any means, an admirer of former President Joe Biden. In fact, I disagree with most of the decisions he made during his tenure, both domestically and internationally. However, when objectively analyzing his foreign policy and the geopolitical interests of the United States, it is possible to recognize that, despite his numerous mistakes in domestic policy—which revealed a declining cognitive ability—Biden achieved some significant successes on the global stage. Successes that, unfortunately, current President Donald Trump, with his outdated and obsolete ideas, is dismantling at an alarming pace.
One of Biden’s greatest achievements was consolidating U.S. influence over Europe, ensuring that European countries prioritized Washington’s interests over those of their own nations. This is particularly evident in the case of the war in Ukraine, where Europe has paid an exorbitant price for aligning with U.S. policy. Energy costs on the continent have skyrocketed, reaching levels four times higher than before the conflict, which has had a severe economic and social impact on the region. Despite this, Biden managed to keep European allies in a position of near-religious submission to Washington’s directives.
Another notable success of Biden was strengthening the North American bloc—comprising Mexico, the United States, and Canada—in terms of supply chains and production. Through strategies like nearshoring, he positioned the region as a formidable competitor against China’s economic rise. This approach not only benefited the United States but also promoted more integrated and collaborative economic development among the three countries.
Additionally, Biden maintained fruitful and stable trade relations with most countries in the world, including key allies such as Mexico, Canada, Japan, Western Europe, and even China. Although the image of the United States as a global power has been declining in recent years, the Biden administration managed to keep the economy functional, the military strong, and a projection of power that, while imperfect, remained effective.
In contrast, Trump’s presidency, which has only been in power for 20 days, has already generated a series of decisions and statements that have sown uncertainty and distrust among traditional U.S. allies. In such a short time, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada—only to backtrack—suggested the annexation of Greenland, hinted at the possibility of retaking control of the Panama Canal, and proposed expelling 1.8 million Palestinians from Gaza, suggesting that other Arab countries should take care of them. These statements, aside from being unfeasible, have been perceived as capricious and poorly strategic, eroding the credibility and leadership of the United States on the international stage.
Unlike Biden, who understood the importance of maintaining strong alliances and a stable economy, Trump seems willing to sacrifice both in favor of a nationalist and confrontational rhetoric. His approach to foreign policy, based on threats and impulsive decisions, not only weakens the position of the United States but also jeopardizes the economic and political stability of its closest partners.
In conclusion, although the Biden administration was far from perfect, it at least maintained a level of coherence and pragmatism in its foreign policy. With Trump, however, it seems we are regressing to an era where decisions are made without considering the complexity of today’s world. In a time where the USA has lost ita hegemony and other powers are battling to position themselves in the new chessboard, What the USA and its allies need are leaders who understand the zeitgeist (the spirit of the times) and act with vision, diplomacy, and political strategy to remain strong and influential in an emerging new world order—not figures who treat geopolitics as a game of Monopoly.