USP International Strategy Group coordinator Alberto Pfeifer states that Donald Trump is returning to the traditional concepts of territory and population in his political vision. According to the analyst, this approach refers to a “neo-survival” perspective, in reference to the peace of Vestphalia, which ended the 30-year war during the Roman-Germanic Empire in the 17th century and inaugurated modern concepts of sovereignty and nation state.
Pfeifer explains that Trump emphasizes the idea of “America First”, reinforcing notions of national identity and manifest destination. “He comes back to this, his level of sophistication goes there,” says the expert, highlighting the simplicity of Trump’s vision about international relations.
Global competition and challenges to American hegemony
The analyst points out that today’s world is characterized by a competition between powers, with China emerging as the main challenger to the United States hegemony, especially in the technological field. Russia, in turn, is described as a “disruptor” that seeks to organize its “nearby outdoor.”
Pfeifer also points to changes in Europe, which would be gradually abandoning the idea of a supranational union in favor of stronger national identities. “Europe does not find its foot, but it is also increasingly ‘neo -plastyfaliana’ or nationalist,” he says.
Trump’s view of the world order
According to Pfeifer, Trump does not seem willing to give way to other powers in the global scenario. What the Republican accepts, suggests the analyst, is a kind of international “condominium”, where each power controls its area of immediate influence.
“Russia controls your nearby outdoor and I’m not going to get too much there. China controls its nearby exterior, ”exemplifies Pfeifer, mentioning Taiwan’s issue as a possible reflection of this approach. In this scenario, the United States would maintain control over the West, since the other powers do not interfere with their area of primordial interest.
