With Donald Trump set to be inaugurated at the White House for another four-year term on January 20, his presidency is poised to have a major impact on global politics, with major challenges and threats to global stability ahead, particularly regarding Israel-Palestine, Ukraine, Big Tech, and China.

Israel-Palestine: Escalation or resolution?

Trump’s uncritical support for Israel during his first term – including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem – emboldened the Benjamin Netanyahu government and marginalised Palestinian voices.

With Israel’s far-right leadership now accelerating violence and displacement in Gaza and the West Bank, Trump’s policies are unlikely to shift toward justice for Palestinians.

While his record shows a preference for diplomacy over war, his administration may deepen the suffering in the region by enabling Israel’s actions, as DiEM25 has warned.

Ukraine: A shift towards diplomacy?

Trump’s position on Ukraine diverges sharply from the bipartisan consensus in Washington. He has openly criticised U.S. support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, framing it as an unnecessary entanglement.

While his isolationist stance could reduce American involvement, potentially easing tensions, it risks undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and emboldening authoritarian regimes. A critical question remains whether Trump’s transactional diplomacy will lead to peace or simply shift allegiances.

Big Tech and the rise of the ‘Broligarchs’

Trump’s presidency could further consolidate the power of Big Tech oligarchs, or “broligarchs”, as described by Yanis Varoufakis. Figures like Elon Musk have increasingly blurred the lines between private enterprise and political power.

Trump’s ties to these influential players, coupled with his disdain for regulation, suggest an unchecked acceleration of their dominance over public discourse, labour rights, and global markets. The lack of accountability for these actors threatens to exacerbate inequality and erode democratic institutions.

China: Escalating rivalries

Trump’s aggressive stance on China during his first term, marked by trade wars and inflammatory rhetoric, laid the groundwork for a growing Cold War. His re-election is likely to intensify these rivalries, with economic decoupling and technological competition at the forefront.

DiEM25 has highlighted how such policies threaten global stability, forcing nations to pick sides in a zero-sum geopolitical game. Trump’s unpredictability makes it difficult to envision any substantive resolution to U.S.-China tensions under his leadership.

A critical path forward

While Trump’s aversion to direct military interventions may be preferable to the endless wars of previous administrations, his presidency threatens to entrench systemic injustices and empower authoritarianism worldwide.

For DiEM25, and progressives movements worldwide, the challenge lies in countering these forces with a vision of solidarity, justice, and true democracy. Trump’s return signals turbulent times ahead – but it also underscores the urgency of collective action.

Do you want to be informed of DiEM25's actions? Sign up here