The US is advancing a new global order. Over the past eight decades Washington pursued – when it suited American interests – an order based on international law, liberalism, multilateralism and democratic values. The new one is based on autocracy and the use of force, and is underpinned by xenophobic nationalism.

For the transatlantic relationship this is transformative: it means that coercive action now drives policy change. Europe’s security dependency on the US is leverage to be ruthlessly exploited. Silicon Valley tech firms’ business interests converge with those of the White House, and the US instrumentalises far-right politicians in Europe to achieve its foreign policy objectives.

By backing the re-election of Donald Trump and his vice-president, JD Vance, radical libertarians have ensured that some of their beliefs are driving the ideological turn that is shaping Trump’s second term and the new global order. Ideas popular among radical, libertarian Silicon Valley executives, such as pro-natalism, support for eugenics and even the replacement of democracy by CEO-led “monarchy”, are fusing with Maga nativism.

As I predicted in June, the convergence of these forces means this administration will seek to bring about a transatlantic cultural........

© The Guardian