Trump 2.0: The Nationalist Wave Disrupting The Global Order – OpEd

The transformation from Trump 1.0 to Trump 2.0 is essential for understanding the current world order. This shift has given rise to a populist nationalism that has reshaped global politics, influencing our perspectives on world affairs, international relations, economic policies, and domestic governance. We believe that the emergence of a Trump-inspired ideology, referred to as Trump 2.0, has fundamentally altered the global balance of power and triggered a series of interconnected crises that could lead to permanent destabilization by 2025. Amidst economic challenges, diplomatic isolation, and deep internal divisions, the legacy of Trump 2.0 highlights the appeal and risks of prioritizing national self-interest over multilateral cooperation.

At the core of Trump 2.0 is a profound skepticism of established institutions and global alliances. With its strong bias toward nationalist policies and aversion to multilateral activities, this ideology has struck a chord with a significant portion of the people in the United States and the world. Nearly half of American citizens (48% in 2025, according to a Pew Research Center survey) now favor a return to policies centered around ‘America First’ principles. This trend is also evident in parts of Europe, where approximately 35% of voters are likely to support populist candidates who share sentiments similar to those of Trump.  This data highlights a broader trend in culture and politics, where traditional diplomatic methods are increasingly rare, often replaced by more assertive, one-time transactional approaches.

Trump 2.0 has been equally powerful economically. While heralded as a means to protect local industry, protectionist trade policies have played a part in an alarming slowdown in global economic growth. By 2025, the International Monetary Fund recorded just 3.1% global G.D.P. growth — a far cry from the rapid expansion of earlier decades. The moderation of growth is partly due to tariffs, renegotiated trade agreements, and an overall climate of economic uncertainty that has disrupted long-established supply chains. Bilateral trade agreements have decreased by approximately 15% compared to recent years, while rising protectionism has resulted in a 12% increase in military spending among emerging economies. They depict a world where economic isolationism and militarization are becoming the norm rather than the exception.

The consequences of this economic shift go well beyond the numbers. The job markets in industries reliant on global trade have experienced significant volatility, with unemployment rates in some sectors rising by as much as 7% in 2025. This economic turbulence has fueled discontent among the working and middle classes, manifesting in widespread protests and labor strikes across sectors and regions. The social unrest that follows is further exacerbated by the widening gap in income distribution—a phenomenon pointed to in a World Bank study that showed income inequality in several countries has grown nearly 20% in recent years. This growing socioeconomic schism not only impedes traditional political institution’s legitimacy but also allows joint nationalism and populism a natural base from which to mobilize.

At the global level, Trump 2.0 has helped drive a tangible unraveling of diplomatic coherence. The United States’ withdrawal from its commitment to multilateralism, a cornerstone of post-World War II global governance, has led to tensions within longstanding alliances such as NATO and has reduced their effectiveness. As American leaders frame foreign policy in terms of immediate national interests rather than long-term strategic partnerships, allies are compelled to adjust their foreign policies, often losing sight of broader international frameworks. The fragmentation of the global order is exacerbated by the fact that many of the less democratic regimes and dictatorial powers, which perceive the retreat of Western multilateralism, are intensifying their nationalism. Combined, the result is a security environment characterized by unpredictability and rising tensions, one in which the rules that traditionally governed international engagement are being rewritten.

Environmental and technological challenges further complicate the situation. As the world urgently needs coordinated action to combat climate change and responsibly harness technological innovation, the erratic and often contradictory policies of Trump 2.0 have resulted in painful and potentially dangerous delays in addressing this global challenge. Once again, global carbon emissions have proved obstinately high, even as international efforts to combat climate change have stalled, according to a 2025 report from the United Nations Environment Programme. This absence of solid, multilateral action in favor of short-term economic advantages has served to hinder cohesion in sustainable development while rendering countries increasingly susceptible to the catastrophic effects of environmental degradation. In the technology sector, we see similar trends where technologies evolve at an exponential pace. Digital transformations increasingly depend on nationalist policies that prioritize local control over global standards. This shift fractures the marketplace and hinders innovation. 

Meanwhile, the domestic political landscape in many countries has also transformed into a battleground of deepening polarization, reflecting much of the ideological battleground that vaulted Trump 2.0 into prominence. Hardline nationalist positions are increasingly adopted by political parties in established democracies, often in direct response to a perceived threat posed by globalization and uncontrolled immigration. This ideological transformation has been paralleled by a dramatic decline in public trust in political institutions — about 18 percent over the last five years, based on recent global surveys. As a grim and increasingly extreme version of Trump gains more powerful support among the populace and dominates the American political landscape as a troubling figure, millions of discontented citizens find it increasingly difficult to envision useful, productive compromises with others. They struggle to identify common solutions to the collective political crisis.

Ultimately, the ascendance of Trump 2.0 has created an unprecedented rupture in the contemporary world order, leading to an intricate mix of challenges that extend across economic, diplomatic, environmental, and societal lines. Champions of Trump 2.0 argue that its policies restore national sovereignty and promote economic self-sufficiency.

However, the empirical data from 2025 and emerging trends suggest a more cautious outlook. This undercurrent of protectionism, the weakening of global coalitions, and the widespread erosion of public trust in long-term collective goals and strategies suggest a world increasingly characterized by short-term thinking—multipolar, unilateral, and transactional. The need for pragmatic, multilateral cooperation grounded in strategic foresight has never been more urgent. As the international community confronts two significant global transformations, nations must navigate the challenges of this new era. To establish a stable and prosperous future for all, countries must balance their national interests with a commitment to global solidarity.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. 

References

• Gessen, Masha. Surviving Autocracy. New York: Riverhead Books, 2023. 
• Snyder, Timothy. The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America. New York: Tim Duggan Books, 2023. 
• Fukuyama, Francis. Liberalism and Its Discontents. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2023