Opinion: 5 Ways The U.S. Retreated From The World Stage Under Trump This Year

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel (center) speaks with President Trump during the Group of Seven summit in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada, on June 9. The Trump administration has surprised and frustrated allies in areas including trade, security, human rights and the environment.

Jesco Denzel / German Federal Government via AP

Ted Piccone (@piccone_ted) is a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution.

In 2018, the Trump administration made good on its promises to unwind long-standing U.S. commitments to guarantee global security and prosperity. These moves will further weaken U.S. standing and influence in the world and favor China’s rise as a rival contender for international supremacy.

Since taking office, President Trump consistently has argued for a brand of U.S. leadership in the world that seeks to maximize national sovereignty at the expense of international cooperation. Underscoring each country’s unique history, Trump told the United Nations General Assembly in September that “the United States will not tell you how to live or work or worship. We only ask that you honor our sovereignty in return.”