Donald Trump’s inauguration speech suggests that his administration will prioritize domestic issues, with foreign policy expected to take a more “transactional” approach than in previous U.S. administrations, experts have told TVP World.
As Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, Central and Eastern European nations closely watched his inaugural address.
However, the speech centered on domestic concerns, offering no insight into his administration’s approach to European security, which has faced increasing threats from Russia in recent years.
While the Republican pledged to “build the strongest military the world has ever seen” and reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal, he made no direct reference to the war in Ukraine.
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Vanessa Tinker, lecturer at Collegium Civitas, told TVP World that Trump’s speech indicates that unlike previous U.S. administrations, “the Trump administration will be more transactional.”
She said: “Whatever makes America great again, and whatever puts America first—so long as working with allies and other partners aligns with those goals—then it is in America’s favor to work with them.
“But again, he [Trump] is transactional. He’s a businessman, so I think the domestic concerns will be at the forefront [of his policy].
Tinker said that Trump’s foreign policy will likely involve a “fusion of the economy and national security.”
Regarding Trump’s skipping over any reference to the war in Ukraine, now entering its third year, Tinker suggested that the Republican likely did so because “there is a realization that it is not possible to end the war today, and that it will take more time.”
“I do think it will come up again,” she said, adding: “I think he will revisit it, but not now.”
Joshua Burgin, NSL Program Director at Warsaw Security Forum told TVP World that under Trump’s administration, “We are going to see a continued push for NATO to be supported by its NATO member states and not simply by the U.S.”
He added that unlike most presidents, he foresees that “Trump’s second term will be his strongest.”
Burgin said: “Trump left office, re-rallied his base, and gained new supporters. It is unquestionable that he has seen growth across every demographic, and he will be able to push through in ways he couldn’t before.”
However, the speech centered on domestic concerns, offering no insight into his administration’s approach to European security, which has faced increasing threats from Russia in recent years.
While the Republican pledged to “build the strongest military the world has ever seen” and reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal, he made no direct reference to the war in Ukraine.
Watch the special edition of World News above.
'Transactional' foreign policy
Vanessa Tinker, lecturer at Collegium Civitas, told TVP World that Trump’s speech indicates that unlike previous U.S. administrations, “the Trump administration will be more transactional.”
She said: “Whatever makes America great again, and whatever puts America first—so long as working with allies and other partners aligns with those goals—then it is in America’s favor to work with them.
“But again, he [Trump] is transactional. He’s a businessman, so I think the domestic concerns will be at the forefront [of his policy].
Tinker said that Trump’s foreign policy will likely involve a “fusion of the economy and national security.”
Regarding Trump’s skipping over any reference to the war in Ukraine, now entering its third year, Tinker suggested that the Republican likely did so because “there is a realization that it is not possible to end the war today, and that it will take more time.”
“I do think it will come up again,” she said, adding: “I think he will revisit it, but not now.”
Joshua Burgin, NSL Program Director at Warsaw Security Forum told TVP World that under Trump’s administration, “We are going to see a continued push for NATO to be supported by its NATO member states and not simply by the U.S.”
He added that unlike most presidents, he foresees that “Trump’s second term will be his strongest.”
Burgin said: “Trump left office, re-rallied his base, and gained new supporters. It is unquestionable that he has seen growth across every demographic, and he will be able to push through in ways he couldn’t before.”
Europe must become ‘self-resilient’
Scott Lucas, professor at University College Dublin told TVP World that Trump’s speech emphasizes the importance for Europe to become self-resilient.
He said: “The European Union and NATO need to be able to be resilient. They need to be able to defend Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
“They need to guard against the wider Russian threats that take place, with no guarantee that the Trump administration will be an effective part of the economic or security alliance, and no guarantee that Donald Trump will choose those alliances over [Russian President] Vladimir Putin.”
A shift in priorities
Wojciech Przybylski, Editor-In-Chief of Visegrad Insight, said that while Trump’s inaugural address focused on domestic priorities, it still included minor references to foreign policy commitments.
He said: “Donald Trump has pledged that not only will he have an effect on the future of peace, but he will not be a deal-breaker; instead, he aims to be a solidifier of nations across the world. So, no more wars—that’s what he promises.
“That’s quite a pledge for a powerful nation and the position he holds. He will see if, indeed, there is no war that the United States is involved in and needs to be engaged in to resolve.”
However, Przybylski acknowledged that there was little mention of Central and Eastern European security in Trump’s speech, which may suggest a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities under his administration.
He said: “Donald Trump has pledged that not only will he have an effect on the future of peace, but he will not be a deal-breaker; instead, he aims to be a solidifier of nations across the world. So, no more wars—that’s what he promises.
“That’s quite a pledge for a powerful nation and the position he holds. He will see if, indeed, there is no war that the United States is involved in and needs to be engaged in to resolve.”
However, Przybylski acknowledged that there was little mention of Central and Eastern European security in Trump’s speech, which may suggest a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities under his administration.
