Trump’s Foreign Policy: A Neo-Feudal Approach to Global Affairs

President Donald Trump’s foreign policy has often left allies and analysts puzzled. A new theory is gaining traction to explain his administration’s approach, labeling it as “neo-feudal.” This concept suggests a focus on extracting immediate, tangible benefits for a select group, rather than pursuing a traditional national strategy based on long-term alliances and shared democratic values.

The Core of the Neo-Feudal Idea

In a feudal system, a lord’s power was tied to the land and resources he directly controlled, with loyalty flowing to him personally rather than to a broader state. Analysts applying this lens argue President Trump operates similarly in the international arena. The primary goal, they suggest, is the enrichment and empowerment of a defined inner circle—be it specific business sectors, political allies, or the executive branch itself—often at the expense of established international systems.

This represents a sharp break from the post-World War II order built by the United States. That system relied on multilateral institutions like NATO and the United Nations, and trade agreements designed to create mutual prosperity. The neo-feudal approach is seen as more transactional and extractive, treating diplomacy as a series of individual deals rather than a web of interdependent relationships.

Recent Examples of the Strategy in Action

Several recent events are cited as clear examples of this tendency. The most striking was the confirmed interest in the United States purchasing Greenland. This move was not framed around strengthening an alliance with Denmark, which governs the territory, but as a straightforward real estate transaction to acquire a resource-rich asset.

Similarly, negotiations with major geopolitical competitors like China and North Korea have frequently emphasized singular, high-profile goals. These include reducing the U.S. trade deficit or securing a flashy summit, sometimes overshadowing broader concerns about human rights or regional security. The approach prioritizes a headline-grabbing “win” that can be claimed for the administration over the nuanced, often slower work of institutional diplomacy.

Potential Risks to Global Stability

Experts warn that this extractive, neo-feudal mindset carries significant risks. The existing global framework, for all its flaws, has provided a degree of predictability and managed conflict between major powers for decades. A strategy that fractures this system in pursuit of unilateral gains can lead to instability.

When long-standing allies feel treated as vessels for extraction rather than partners, trust erodes. This can weaken collective responses to global challenges like terrorism, climate change, and pandemics. Furthermore, it may create a vacuum that other nations, with their own strategic agendas, are eager to fill, potentially leading to new and unpredictable rivalries.

For investors, this shift introduces a new layer of geopolitical risk. Markets thrive on stability and predictability. A world where alliances are fragile and international norms are routinely bypassed for bilateral deals can lead to volatile commodity prices, disrupted supply chains, and sudden shifts in regulatory environments. Understanding this underlying theory is key to navigating the unconventional currents of modern foreign policy and their impact on the global economy.