By Kagefumi Ueno / Special to The Japan News

12:00 JST, March 22, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office in January struck the world like the relapse of an ailment. For many countries, the condition has been marked by confusion, dismay and uncertainty, which in turn have led to mistrust and even antipathy.

Consequently, the existing world order appears to be growing fragile. The U.S.-European alliance in particular is weakening, to the likely benefit of Russia and China.

As international relations deteriorate under Trump’s influence, three symptoms can be seen. The Trump administration is attacking the Americas, trampling the weak and antagonizing the Global South.

Trump, who has started to behave as if he were the emperor of the Western Hemisphere, often calls attention to U.S. President William McKinley, who served from 1897 to 1901. In an era of imperialism, McKinley led the United States into the Spanish-American War, compelling Spain to cede sovereignty over Puerto Rico and other territories to the United States, and effectively making Cuba a U.S. protectorate.

Today, countries of North and South America have become targets as Trump directs threats and intimidation at Canada, Mexico and Panama. Many countries indignantly feel that Trump is treating them like vassal states.

Europeans too have been subjected to Trumpist attacks. U.S. Vice President JD........

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