United States of America

The argument that the erosion of the dollar’s global status could benefit the US is gaining traction in Washington. That move would be a needless act of self-harm.

US tariffs add to the sense of an increasingly unpredictable and unreliable partner. Allies in Europe and the Pacific are questioning foundational assumptions about their security arrangements as a result.

Beijing’s ability to prevent US access to rare earths puts Washington’s long-term strategic goals at risk.

Concerns over foreign-owned platforms may overshadow deeper-rooted threats in the global information environment. Beyond platform ownership, the US and other democracies need coordinated and consistent policy, aligned with democratic values.

By exempting certain critical minerals from his latest tariffs, Trump has demonstrated the fragile interdependence underpinning modern industrial economies – and provided a wake-up call for the EU and UK.

Jason Furman, Dame DeAnne Julius and David Lubin discuss the impact of Donald Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs on the United States and the global economy.

Amid strident rhetoric and shifting targets, many observers have written off Trump’s tariff agenda either as a thoughtless time bomb that may wreck the global economy or as a negotiating tactic. But they are missing the bigger picture.

Criticism of US government inefficiency is justified. But rapid cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency threaten US resilience and competitiveness. 

The administration’s policy works against its economic priorities and undermines America’s strengths. 

Donald Trump values his personal relations with Saudi royals and the kingdom is willing to play the role of host. But with prestige comes expectations.

If Donald Trump believed he could persuade Vladimir Putin to sign up to a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine, he is learning the hard way: Russia is interested in peace, but only on its terms.

Washington wants to secure Ukraine’s valuable raw materials in a headline-grabbing deal, but a joint partnership with the EU and Kyiv is mutually beneficial in the long term.

Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire in principle. But conflicts often intensify when a pause in fighting is being negotiated.

The low-cost chatbot could herald an era of affordable public-sector AI – but governments may need to weigh the potential political costs, writes Chris Stokel-Walker.

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have made big changes to their social media platforms. Carl Miller and Alex Krasodomski consider the geopolitical implications of a fragmenting online ‘public square’.

US involvement is essential to a credible peace. Israel-Saudi normalization may be key to unlocking President Trump’s support for the Arab plan.

Emergency programmes are already in disarray, while in the long term, revisionist powers like China will seize chances to build influence.

Simon Fraser, Gerard Baker, Marion Messmer and Sebastien Maillard join the podcast to discuss Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron’s meetings with Donald Trump.

Washington hosted a week of relatively friendly talks. But discussions of European security were not productive.

President Trump’s actions seem to indicate a hemispheric US foreign policy emerging. There is a bleak logic behind that approach.

To the Trump administration, pleasing Russia looks like it solves major problems. But experience shows that those who try, live to regret it.

Europe will still hope to make good use of its cards in any peace negotiations Trump plans with Moscow. But now it must decide how to pay for its own defence.

Given the threat posed by President Trump’s trade strategy, the EU, CPTPP and China must work together to preserve and revitalize the WTO and other key elements of the world trade and investment system. 

The two share similar views and Trump is popular among Indians. But India is not yet equipped to be the bulwark against China that the US wants it to be.

Although there is a brief respite from the threat of tariffs, Mexican leaders must brace for tough times and focus on the long-term potential of the US–Mexico relationship.

The proposal for a US takeover of Gaza would disrupt almost every foreign policy objective the new US administration has in the Middle East.

Creon Butler, Linda Yueh and Julian Ventura join the podcast to discuss the impact of Donald Trump’s trade tactics.

As the AI summit in Paris approaches, the US administration is taking a comparatively brakes-off approach on AI regulation. Can the UK and EU forge a leadership role on AI safety?

Canada will work hard to resolve the dispute permanently – but the continuing tariffs threat will create pressure to reduce reliance on US trade.

As Trump takes aim at global norms and institutions, the question of what parts of the post-Cold War order can be saved – and for whom – requires urgent attention.

More cohesive international engagement is needed to support stability in Ethiopia and Sudan and resolve damaging cross-border disputes that jeopardize security and development across the Horn of Africa.

With consistent and long-term support from the US, the Abraham Accords could have a transformative impact on Middle East economic cooperation and regional security.

Global trade continues to face multiple challenges as the risks of deepening tensions between the US and China, along with those of an escalation of Russia’s war on Ukraine, weigh on economies.

This paper assesses plans for investment in a sustainable economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, and examines how such efforts could transform international development cooperation.

The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) has become the main platform for US–EU trade and tech cooperation. But the US and the EU must turn ambitions into tangible outcomes if the TTC is to tackle significant global issues.

Europe and the US recognize that their policies and strategies on the Indo-Pacific need to be more coherent. Existing structures such as the G7 and the Quad could become key forums for enhanced cooperation.

In 2021 G7 leaders pledged to build back a better world. They now need to redouble their efforts to make sure that this ambition is fulfilled.

Human processes and judgments can affect decisions in the nuclear chain of command. Complexity science offers policymakers pathways to reduce escalatory risk.

The use of forest biomass for energy is growing rapidly, but existing EU and UK policies ignore its contribution to increased carbon emissions.

This paper offers a public policy ‘toolkit’ for governments in the US and Europe to support firms in securing resilient and sustainable supply chains

Important political shifts in 2021 could bring greater clarity on Germany’s changing China policy, no matter who succeeds Angela Merkel as chancellor, writes Noah Barkin.

This paper examines current and potential areas of climate change cooperation between the US, the EU and China.

China’s expansion into the Indo-Pacific is meeting growing resistance from a range of countries that are looking to further their own interests in the region.

Quantum technologies represent significant scientific progress, however, security concerns continue to hinder deeper international cooperation.

The authors of this paper consider the most pressing foreign policy challenges for the next US president, and examine how the outcome of the 2020 election will affect these.

A modernized and fully functioning WTO is more essential than ever. This paper makes the case for transatlantic cooperation as a necessary condition for reform.

As internet governance issues emerge in the wake of innovations such as the Internet of Things and advanced artificial intelligence, there is an urgent need for the EU and US to establish a common, positive multi-stakeholder vision for regulating and governing the internet.

This paper examines the risks of greater strategic competition as well as potential solutions for mitigating the impacts of the US–China economic confrontation.

This briefing argues that China’s rise has worrying implications for the liberal order and explores how this will affect the transatlantic relationship.

Many middle powers have been warning of the dangers inherent in the decline of the liberal international order. The time has come for these countries to translate their warnings into concerted action.

This paper recommends a framework for strengthening US–EU trade relations and achieving successful trade talks in the current era of protectionism. 

Despite significant financial expenditure and thousands of lives lost, a fundamental shift in policy remains unimaginable at present.

In the first of a new annual series, Chatham House experts examine how aspects of the established order in global affairs are shifting.

If a new trade policy framework can be developed, Trump’s presidency could offer a chance to move the debate forward and actually strengthen global trade.

Briefing Paper