Experts at London-based Chatham House believe the President-elect’s push for closer ties with Russia will create “friction” with the US’s European allies.
The ‘America’s International Role Under Donald Trump’ report claimed the Republican’s unwillingness to support the established international liberal order means “he is likely to offer them [European allies] significantly less support than did previous Presidents”.
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Trump's approach to politics could cause friction with the US's European allies, the report claims
He may be more willing to overlook Chinese or Russian transgression of international norms, or challenges to the sovereign independence and stability of other states, for example, if he feels he can trade it for direct gains on the economy
Chatham House report
It adds: "At a minimum, he will leave their members, and America's partners, uncertain about US reliability.”
The news comes just days after the President-elect branded Nato “obsolete” and described the European Union as “a vehicle for Germany” during an interview with former UK Justice Secretary Michael Gove.
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The report added: "He may be more willing to overlook Chinese or Russian transgression of international norms, or challenges to the sovereign independence and stability of other states, for example, if he feels he can trade it for direct gains on the economy."
Trump’s off-the-cuff style of politics was attacked in the report, with the President-elect also described as “brash, unpredictable, contradictory and thin-skinned”.
His willingness to pursue economic goals rather than dealing with security concerns could leave to a change in approach to relations with global allies, the think tank claimed.
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The report continued: “Trump’s personality and style… promises to have a meaningful impact on his engagement in foreign affairs.
“In addition to leaving foreign leaders uncertain about US policy, this could impair cooperation in international organisations such as the G7 and APEC, where the US President plays an important personal role.
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“As a result, these institutions would be less effective."
Robin Niblett, the director of Chatham House, added: “You could argue that President Obama had become predictable, and if you are a foreign leader, being able to predict your opponents makes life a lot easier.
“Donald Trump is unpredictable, he makes great strength of it, and I think it could end up putting America’s enemies on the back foot”.
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