US prestige wanes under Trump's controversial policies

Despite current challenges, the United States still has the largest army in the world and a powerful nuclear arsenal. Its economy remains strong, but its international prestige has been undermined. Dr. Przemysław Piotr Damski from the University of Łódź evaluates the situation after two months of Donald Trump's presidency. The expert admits that although Trump's style was known, the scale of his rhetoric surprised many.

I did not expect him to so unequivocally tell Ukraine that it must give him something to make a "deal" with America and that allies would be treated worse than potential rivals, says the expert.

Trump's policies, including imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, are controversial. Damski notes that this seems like an attempt to visualize countries in place of the previous partnership cooperation. The expert emphasizes that previous cooperation facilitated collaboration, although the USA is more potent than European countries.

Damski points out that worsening relations with Europe and Canada is not in the USA's interest. He adds that America should have the best possible economic ties with Europe and ensure it will supply gas to Europe. However, the expert sees no benefits from Trump's current policy. Despite the USA's problems, Dr. Damski does not foresee its downfall.

It is too early to draw such conclusions, although prestige-wise, America has certainly already suffered, he assesses.

Changes in US relations with Europe may lead to a redefinition of NATO's formula and the development of the EU's common security concept. Damski suggests that relying solely on the United States is shortsighted and that security needs to be diversified.

Some argue that Trump's actions are a negotiation tactic. Dr. Damski is skeptical of this theory. The claim that there are some secret American interests based on a power game is not convincing to me, the expert concludes.