In Trump’s world, look to the middle powers for hope

(Ivo Daalder – Politico) These days, Europe and America don’t agree on much. But when it comes to the rules-based order, European and American leaders are in agreement: That order is gone. But is it really gone? The American-led order — Pax Americana — died with the re-election of Donald Trump in November 2024. It was clear that Trump 2.0 would continue and accelerate America’s abdication of the global leadership role Washington had first assumed in the early 1940s. That, however, is not the same as declaring the end of the rules-based order. And, yet, that is what a succession of leaders, starting with Mark Carney’s much-heralded address in Davos last month, have now proclaimed. “The old order is not coming back,” Carney admonished his audience. “Stop invoking rules-based international order as though it still functions as advertised.” – In Trump’s world, look to the middle powers for hope  – POLITICO