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{{Short description|Foreign policy of the United States from January 2017 to January 2021}}
{{About|the foreign policy positions and actions of Donald Trump as President of the United States|the positions expressed by Donald Trump as a presidential candidate|Foreign policy of Donald Trump (2015–2016)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
{{Donald Trump series}}

[[Foreign policy of the United States|U.S. foreign policy]] during the [[presidency of Donald Trump]] (2017–2021) was noted for its unpredictability and reneging on prior international commitments,<ref name="Bennhold" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/iran/2020-01-22/cost-incoherent-foreign-policy |title=The Cost of an Incoherent Foreign Policy: Trump's Iran Imbroglio Undermines U.S. Priorities Everywhere Else |first=Brett |last=McGurk |author-link=Brett McGurk |work=[[Foreign Affairs]] |date=January 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-08-20/trump-s-true-foreign-policy-chaos |title=Trump's True Foreign Policy: Chaos |first=Hal |last=Brands |author-link=Hal Brands |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=August 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Richard |last=Haass |author-link=Richard Haass |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-08-11/present-disruption |title=Present at the Disruption: How Trump Unmade U.S. Foreign Policy |magazine=[[Foreign Affairs]] |date=September–October 2020}}</ref> upending diplomatic conventions, embracing political and economic [[brinkmanship]] with most adversaries, and stronger relations with traditional allies. [[Donald Trump|Trump]]'s "[[America First (policy)|America First]]" policy pursued [[American nationalism#Donald Trump presidency|nationalist]] foreign policy objectives and prioritized bilateral relations over multinational agreements.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ana |last=Swanson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/business/economy/trump-european-union-trade.html |title=Trump Administration Escalates Tensions With Europe as Crisis Looms |date=March 12, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name=Bennhold>{{cite news |first=Katrin |last=Bennhold |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/06/world/europe/germany-troop-withdrawal-america.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=Has 'America First' Become 'Trump First'? Germans Wonder |date=June 6, 2020}}</ref> As president, Trump described himself as a nationalist<ref>{{cite news |first=William |last=Cummings |title='I am a nationalist': Trump's embrace of controversial label sparks uproar |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/24/trump-says-hes-nationalist-what-means-why-its-controversial/1748521002/ |work=[[USA Today]] |date=October 24, 2018}}</ref> while espousing views that have been characterized as [[isolationist]], [[Non-interventionism|non-interventionist]], and [[Protectionism|protectionist]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rucker |first1=Philip |author1-link=Philip Rucker |last2=Costa |first2=Robert |author2-link=Robert Costa (journalist) |date=March 21, 2016 |title=Trump questions need for NATO, outlines noninterventionist foreign policy |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/03/21/donald-trump-reveals-foreign-policy-team-in-meeting-with-the-washington-post/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Reid J. Epstein and Colleen McCain |title=Donald Trump Lays Out Protectionist Views in Trade Speech |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-lays-out-protectionist-views-in-trade-speech-1467145538 |access-date=23 June 2022 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=28 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dodson |first1=Kyle |last2=Brooks |first2=Clem |title=All by Himself? Trump, Isolationism, and the American Electorate |journal=The Sociological Quarterly |date=20 September 2021 |volume=63 |issue=4 |pages=780–803 |doi=10.1080/00380253.2021.1966348 |s2cid=240577549 |issn=0038-0253|doi-access=free }}</ref> although the "isolationist" label has been disputed,<ref>[[Barry Posen|Posen, Barry]].  [https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/fora97&div=33&id=&page= “The Rise of Illiberal Hegemony: Trump’s Surprising Grand Strategy”], [[Foreign Affairs (magazine)|Foreign Affairs]], Vol. 97, p. 20 (2018): "Some have gone so far as to apply to Trump the most feared epithet in the U.S. foreign policy establishment: 'isolationist.' In fact, Trump is anything but."</ref><ref>Stranne, Frida.  [https://rauli.cbs.dk/index.php/assc/article/download/6519/7049/ "Trump’s Foreign Policy Agenda is Anything but Isolationism"], ''[[American Studies in Scandinavia]]'', 52:1 (2020), pp. 99-120.</ref><ref>[[Jeff Faux|Faux, Jeff]].  “[https://www.salon.com/2017/11/05/trump-no-isolationist_partner/ “Donald Trump is no isolationist”], [[Salon (magazine)|Slate]] (Nov 25, 2017).</ref><ref>Wertheim, Stephen.  [https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/02/17/quit-calling-donald-trump-an-isolationist-its-an-insult-to-isolationism/ “Quit calling Donald Trump an isolationist. He’s worse than that.”], [[Washington Post]] (Feb 17, 2017).</ref><ref>Meaney, Thomas.  “[https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v42/n21/thomas-meaney/warfare-state Warfare State],” [[London Review of Books]] (5 Nov 2020): “The administration has been presented as ‘isolationist’ yet has agreed bilateral trade deals around the world and strengthened ties with Japan, Israel and Saudi Arabia – three traditional partners – while undertaking major war games against Russia and China. This year’s Defender Europe 20 would have been the US army’s largest exercise on the continent in 25 years if Covid-19 hadn’t limited its scope. It’s hard to detect any measurable change in approach. Even Trump’s attempt to pressure Beijing into abandoning industrial measures that allegedly give it an unfair advantage in international trade have ample precedent in Reagan’s 1980s trade war with Japan.”</ref><ref>[[John Mearsheimer|Mearsheimer, John]] and [[John Anderson (Australian politician)|Anderson, John]], [https://johnanderson.net.au/john-mearsheimer/ Direct: Prof. John Mearsheimer, American political scientist],” 55:30 (8 Dec 2023).</ref> including by Trump himself,<ref>”[https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/27/us/politics/donald-trump-transcript.html Transcript: Donald Trump Expounds on His Foreign Policy Views],” [[New York Times]] (March 16, 2016): “We won’t be isolationists — I don’t want to go there because I don’t believe in that. I think we’ll be very worldview, but we’re not going to be ripped off anymore by all of these countries.”</ref><ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-angela-merkel-germany-isolationist-trade-nato-climate-a7636351.html “Trump claims he is 'not an isolationist' during German Chancellor Merkel's US visit”], [[The Independent]] (17 Mar 2017).</ref> and periods of his political career have been described by the alternative term “semi-isolationist.”<ref>Watson, Kathryn. [https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/trump-shift-away-from-america-first-stance-polarizes-supporters/ “Trump's shift away from ‘America first’ stance polarizes supporters”], [[CBS News]] (14 Apr 2017): “These actions, which came as the White House weighs what to do in the event of a North Korea nuclear test, clearly pivot from Mr. Trump’s previous, semi-isolationist stance. Mr. Trump on the campaign trail espoused his ‘America first’ philosophy, saying he would beef up America’s military presence, but avoid tumultuous areas like the Middle East to focus on American interests.”</ref><ref>John Cassidy, [https://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/donald-trump-is-transforming-the-g-o-p-into-a-populist-nativist-party Donald Trump Is Transforming the G.O.P. into a Populist, Nativist Party], ''[[The New Yorker|New Yorker]]'' (February 29, 2016): Trump seeks "a more populist, nativist, avowedly protectionist, and semi-isolationist party that is skeptical of immigration, free trade, and military interventionism."</ref><ref>Denton, Robert.  [https://books.google.com/books?id=VtYtDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA296 The 2016 US Presidential Campaign Political Communication and Practice], p. 296 (Soringer, 2017): “Trump's 2016 messages drew heavily on his personal image enhanced by media exposure. His positions were right-wing populism-nativist, protectionist, and semi-isolationist and differed in many ways from traditional conservatism.”</ref> He personally praised some [[populist]], [[neo-nationalist]], [[Illiberal democracy|illiberal]], and [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] governments, while antagonizing others, even as administration diplomats nominally continued to pursue pro-democracy ideals abroad.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/2018/10/01/can-u.s.-democracy-policy-survive-trump-pub-77381 |title=Can U.S. Democracy Policy Survive Trump? |last1=Carothers |first1=Thomas |last2=Brown |first2=Frances Z. |date=October 1, 2019 |website=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] |access-date=October 19, 2019}}</ref>

Upon taking office, Trump relied more on military personnel than any previous administration since the [[presidency of Ronald Reagan]],<ref>{{cite web | last1=Solomon | first1=Jay | title=Military Brass Fill Donald Trump's National Security Council | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/military-brass-fill-national-security-council-1485478127 | date=January 26, 2017 | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> and more on White House advisors than on the State Department to advise him on international relations; for example, assigning policy related to the [[List of Middle East peace proposals|Middle East peace process]] to senior advisor [[Jared Kushner]].<ref name = "Morello" /> Former [[ExxonMobil]] CEO [[Rex Tillerson]] was Trump's first [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]], appointed for his experience and contacts in many other countries, particularly Russia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/01/tillerson-confirmation-senate-mccain-graham-exxonmobil-russia-putin/512750/|title=A Brief Guide to Rex Tillerson's Controversial Foreign Ties|last=Mahanta|first=Siddhartha|date=January 11, 2017|work=The Atlantic|access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> During Tillerson's tenure at the [[United States Department of State|State Department]], budget cuts and Trump's reliance on White House advisors led to media reports that the State Department had been noticeably "sidelined".<ref name="Morello">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-first-month-of-trump-presidency-state-department-has-been-sidelined/2017/02/22/cc170cd2-f924-11e6-be05-1a3817ac21a5_story.html|title=In first month of Trump presidency, State Department has been sidelined|last1=Morello|first1=Carol|last2=Gearan|first2=Anne|date=February 22, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> Former [[CIA]] director [[Mike Pompeo]] succeeded Tillerson as Secretary of State in April 2018.<ref name="Wilkinson">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-trump-budget-slashes-state-department-1489671887-htmlstory.html|title=Trump budget slashes State Department, but top U.S. diplomat doesn't object|last=Wilkinson|first=Tracy|date=March 26, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref>

As part of the "America First" policy, Trump's administration reevaluated many of the U.S.'s prior multinational commitments, including withdrawing from the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]], the [[INF Treaty]], the [[UNHRC]] and [[UNESCO]], and the [[United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement|Paris Agreement]], and urging [[NATO]] allies to increase burden sharing. The Trump administration introduced [[Executive Order 13769|a ban on travel]] from certain Muslim-majority countries and [[United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel|recognized]] [[Jerusalem]] as the capital of [[Israel]]. He sought [[2018–19 Korean peace process|rapprochement]] with [[North Korea]]n leader [[Kim Jong-un]] as part of efforts to [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|denuclearize the Korean Peninsula]], although North Korea continued to expand its nuclear arsenal. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|Iran nuclear deal]] and increased [[United States sanctions against Iran|sanctions against Iran]], precipitating several confrontations between the two countries. He increased belligerence against [[Foreign involvement in the Venezuelan presidential crisis|Venezuela]] and [[Nicaragua]] while overseeing drawdowns of U.S. troops from [[American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war|Syria]], [[Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq (2020–2021)|Iraq]], [[American military intervention in Somalia (2007–present)|Somalia]], and [[Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan#Plans by the administration of Donald Trump|Afghanistan]], while [[US–Taliban deal|agreeing with the Taliban for a conditional full withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021]]. He also increased U.S. [[Drone warfare|drone strikes]] in Africa,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/09/world/africa/cia-drones-africa-military.html|title=C.I.A. Drone Mission, Curtailed by Obama, Is Expanded in Africa Under Trump|work=The New York Times|date=September 9, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2020}}</ref> and continued the U.S.'s [[War against the Islamic State|war]] [[War on terror|on terror]] and [[Operation Inherent Resolve|campaign]] against the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] terror organization, including overseeing the [[Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi|death]] of its leader [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]] in October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/27/islamic-statebaghdadi-dead-donald-trump-000300|title=ISIS leader killed in daring U.S. raid in Syria, Trump says|website=POLITICO|date=October 27, 2019 }}</ref> In January 2020, Trump ordered [[Assassination of Qasem Soleimani|a drone strike]] in Iraq which assassinated Iranian major general [[Qasem Soleimani]].

The Trump administration often used economic pressure to enforce its foreign policy goals.<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-wields-u-s-economic-might-in-struggles-with-allies-and-adversaries-alike-11579280987 "Trump Wields U.S. Economic Might in Struggles With Allies and Adversaries Alike"], ''Wall Street Journal'', Jan. f17, 2020</ref> [[Trump's import tariffs]] agitated trade partners and triggered a [[China–United States trade war|trade war with China]]. He also signed the [[United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement]] (USMCA), a continental trade agreement which replaced [[North American Free Trade Agreement|NAFTA]]. Trump's administration brokered the [[Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements|Kosovo–Serbia agreement]], the [[Abraham Accords]], and subsequent Arab-Israeli normalization agreements with [[Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement|Bahrain]], [[Israel–Sudan normalization agreement|Sudan]] and [[Israel–Morocco normalization agreement|Morocco]].
{{TOC level|3}}

==Timeline of notable events==
===2016===
In 2020, Trump explained how some of his foreign policy goals became his rationale behind running for office: "I ran for president because I cannot watch this betrayal of our country any longer. I could not sit by as career politicians let other countries take advantage of us on trade, borders, foreign policy and national defense."<ref name=convention>[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/us/politics/trump-rnc-speech-transcript.html "Full Transcript: President Trump's Republican National Convention Speech"], ''New York Times'', August 28, 2020</ref>

In May 2016, Trump campaigned to secure American energy independence for the first time.<ref>[https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/481679-americas-energy-independence-has-contributed-to-the "America's energy independence has contributed to the great American comeback"], ''The Hill'', February 5, 2020</ref> He drew attention to China's acceptance into the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) in 2001 as a mistake, claiming the decision had contributed to massive job losses.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/12/12/trump-says-china-is-not-a-market-economy-heres-why-this-is-a-big-deal/ "Trump says China is not a market economy. That's a big deal."], ''New York Times'', December 12, 2016</ref> Consequently, he threatened in 2016 to place tariffs on Chinese products if elected, and post-election he vowed to impose tax penalties on American firms that offshored their companies.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-china-idUSKCN10Z2JN "Trump targets China trade, says plans serious measures"], ''Reuters'', August 24, 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.rollcall.com/2016/12/04/declaring-u-s-open-for-business-trump-warns-tax-penalty-for-offshoring/ "Declaring U.S. 'Open for Business,' Trump Warns Tax Penalty for Offshoring"], ''Roll Call'', December 4, 2016</ref>

===2017===
On January 23, 2017, three days after taking office, he withdrew from the [[#Trans-Pacific Partnership|Trans-Pacific Partnership]], which he deemed a "job killing partnership".<ref name="NYTTPP"/> Trump announced a preference for bilateral agreements; over the remainder of Trump's term, his administration produced a handful of limited bilateral agreements covering specific products or industries, with limited results. Trump pursued only one general [[free trade agreement]] (FTA): the [[United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement|USMCA]] (with Canada and Mexico), which modified [[North American Free Trade Agreement|NAFTA]]. Although the U.S. under Trump eschewed FTAs, the six most important U.S. trading partners continued to negotiate and enter into FTAs, with the U.S. losing ground as a result.<ref>Guy Erb & Scott Sommers, [https://www.wita.org/blogs/losing-ground-trump-administrations-bilateral-trade/ Still Losing Ground: The Consequences of the Trump Administration's Bilateral Trade Policy], Washington International Trade Association (July 9, 2020).</ref>

On April 6, 2017, in retaliation for Syrian President [[Bashar al-Assad]]'s chemical weapon attack, of [[sarin]], against civilians, Trump authorized a limited cruise missile strike on a Syrian air base. After Russia blocked U.S.-sponsored measures against the Syrian regime at the UN Security Council, the U.S. took unilateral action.<ref name=strike>[https://www.cfr.org/interview/will-syria-yield-chemical-weapons-ban "Will Syria Yield to the Chemical Weapons Ban?"], ''Council on Foreign Relations'', April 7, 2017</ref> The attack drew international support and claims it was justified, citing enforcement of the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]] (CWC).<ref name=strike/><ref>[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/listen-president-trumps-full-statement-u-s-missile-attack-syria "WATCH: President Trump's full statement on U.S. missile attack on Syria"], [[PBS NewsHour]], April 6, 2017</ref>

On April 27, 2017, the administration reversed the [[United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement#Renegotiation, 2016–2018|United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement]], which Trump described as a "job-killing trade deal" when he was still a presidential candidate.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/08/12/trumps-trade-talk-is-scaring-one-of-americas-greatest-friends/ |title=Trump's trade talk is scaring one of America's 'greatest friends' |author=Drew Harwell |date= August 12, 2016 |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=April 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/07/120_210039.html |title=Trump denounces Korea-US FTA as 'job-killing' deal |date=July 22, 2016 |work=Korea Times |access-date=April 28, 2017}}</ref>

In April 2017, the administration confronted [[#North Korea|North Korea]] and Vice President Pence paid a visit to the DMZ.<ref>[https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/04/17/pence_on_north_korea_era_of_strategic_patience_is_over_133624.html "Pence on North Korea: "Era of Strategic Patience Is Over"], ''Real Clear Politics'', April 17, 2017</ref> Tensions increased when Trump asserted in an interview, "If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will."<ref name="BBC News 3 April 2017"/> A few months later, in June, he declared a national emergency with respect to North Korea. On June 17, North Korea released American captive [[Otto Warmbier]] who was returned to the U.S. in a comatose state and died shortly thereafter.<ref name=Warmbier/>

In May 2017, Trump took his first trip abroad as president, traveling to Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, Vatican City, Belgium, and Italy. In Brussels, he addressed [[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) heads of state and governments, calling on each of them to "finally contribute their fair share" to the alliance.<ref>[https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-nato-unveiling-article-5-berlin-wall-memorials-brussels-belgium/ "Remarks by President Trump at NATO Unveiling of the Article 5 and Berlin Wall Memorials – Brussels, Belgium"], The White House, May 25, 2017</ref> In January 2019, secretary general of NATO [[Jens Stoltenberg]], thanked Trump for being "committed to NATO", professing that he deserved credit for obtaining an additional $100 billion in defense spending for the alliance.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/01/27/nato-chief-credits-trump/2695799002/ "'Trump is having an impact': NATO head credits president's tough talk for $100B boost"], ''USA Today'', January 27, 2019</ref>

In June 2017, Trump announced that the U.S. would [[United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement|withdraw from the Paris Agreement]] to [[climate change mitigation|combat climate change]]. The withdrawal left the U.S. as one of the world's only countries outside the Paris Agreement (which consolidated each country's voluntary pledge to reduce [[Greenhouse gas emissions|carbon emissions]] and aimed to further emissions cuts), and made the U.S. the sole country to withdraw from the agreement after entering into it.<ref name="FriedmanParis">Lisa Friedman, [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/climate/paris-climate-agreement-trump.html U.S. Quits Paris Climate Agreement: Questions and Answers], ''New York Times'' (November 4, 2020).</ref> Trump's withdrawal formally abandoned President Obama's goal of cutting U.S. emissions by 28% below 2005 levels by 2025.<ref name=FriedmanParis/> The U.S. withdrawal formally came into effect on November 4, 2020.<ref name=FriedmanParis/> Trump's decision to withdrawal from the agreement dismayed business leaders and U.S. allies<ref name="VolcoviciMason">Valerie Volcovici & Jeff Mason, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-climatechange-trump/trump-dismays-angers-allies-by-abandoning-global-climate-pact-idUSKBN18R1J4 Trump dismays, angers allies by abandoning global climate pact], Reuters (May 31, 2017).</ref> and was condemned by scientists, which warned that U.S. withdrawal would deepen the [[climate crisis]].<ref name="auto5">Quirin Schiermeier & Jeff Tollefson, [https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-scientists-reacted-to-the-u-s-leaving-the-paris-climate-agreement/ How Scientists Reacted to the U.S. Leaving the Paris Climate Agreement], ''Nature'' (June 2, 2017).</ref><ref name="auto6">Leslie Hook, [https://www.ft.com/content/13222c6e-ffe0-11e9-be59-e49b2a136b8d Scientists warn of 'climate crisis' after  US quits Paris accord], ''Financial Times'' (November 5, 2019).</ref> [[Joe Biden]], Trump's successor, re-entered the U.S. into the Paris Agreement on February 19, 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mai|first=H. J.|date=February 19, 2021|title=U.S. Officially Rejoins Paris Agreement On Climate Change|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/02/19/969387323/u-s-officially-rejoins-paris-agreement-on-climate-change|access-date=February 8, 2022}}</ref>

On December 6, 2017, Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and started the process of relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.<ref name=recognition/>

===2018===
In March 2018, Trump proposed the creation of an independent space force. Following the decision, he directed the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] to establish the [[United States Space Force]], a new branch of the Armed Forces. It was signed into law on December 20, 2019.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2019/12/21/790492010/trump-created-the-space-force-heres-what-it-will-do "Trump Created The Space Force. Here's What It Will Actually Do"], ''NPR'', December 21, 2019</ref>

On May 14, 2018, the Trump administration officially moved the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to [[Embassy of the United States, Jerusalem|Jerusalem]].<ref>[https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/whats-stake-us-recognition-jerusalem "What's At Stake With the U.S. Recognition of Jerusalem"], ''Council on Foreign Relations'', December 6, 2017</ref>

On May 18, 2018, Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]], known as the Iran Nuclear Deal.<ref name=deal/><ref>[https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-status-iran-nuclear-agreement "What Is the Status of the Iran Nuclear Agreement?"], ''Council on Foreign Relations'', January 7, 2020</ref> The administration had earlier put Iran "on notice" after they test-fired a missile a few days after Trump took office.<ref name=test/>

On June 12, 2018, Trump and North Korean leader [[Kim Jong-un]] met in Singapore.  Trump hoped their rapport would prompt the ending of North Korea's nuclear program. Trump used "flattery, cajolery and even a slickly produced promotional video" in an attempt to persuade Kim into a peace partnership. Trump also gave Kim certain concessions, including ending military drills between the United States and South Korea, a decision that surprised both South Korea and the Pentagon.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/world/asia/north-korea-summit.html "The Trump-Kim Summit Was Unprecedented, but the Statement Was Vague"], ''New York Times'', June 12, 2018</ref>

On June 19, 2018, U.N. ambassador [[Nikki Haley]] announced that the United States would withdraw from the [[United Nations Human Rights Council|Human Rights Council]]. She cited the council's "chronic bias against Israel" and the human rights abuses of various sitting members, including China and Venezuela.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2018/06/19/621435225/u-s-announces-its-withdrawal-from-u-n-s-human-rights-council "U.S. Announces Its Withdrawal From U.N. Human Rights Council"], ''NPR'', June 19, 2018</ref>

On July 16, 2018, Trump and Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] met in Helsinki for a two-hour meeting to discuss the Syrian civil war, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and Russia's encroachment on Ukraine.<ref>[https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/uncertain-future-inf-treaty "The Uncertain Future of the INF Treaty"], ''Council on Foreign Relations'', October 22, 2018</ref>

In September 2018, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada reached an agreement to replace NAFTA with the [[United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement]] (USMCA).<ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement|title=United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement|publisher=USTR|access-date=October 1, 2018}}</ref> During his 2016 campaign, Trump condemned the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA), declaring that if elected to the presidency, "We will either renegotiate it, or we will break it."<ref name="bigstory.ap.org"/><ref name="cbsnews.com"/>

In December 2018, Trump announced that the United States would withdraw all of the more than two thousand troops deployed in Syria, and asked the Pentagon to come up with a plan to withdraw half of those serving in Afghanistan as well.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/19/us-troops-syria-withdrawal-trump "Trump shocks allies and advisers with plan to pull US troops out of Syria"], ''The Guardian'', December 19, 2018</ref>

===2019===
In the aftermath of the [[November 2015 Paris attacks]] committed by ISIL, Trump reiterated his intention to eliminate ISIL.<ref name="businessinsideroil" /> By August 2017, the Trump administration had "dramatically accelerated" the [[Operation Inherent Resolve|U.S.–led campaign against ISIL]] and recaptured almost one-third of the territory they had taken.<ref name=ISIS/> On March 23, 2019, Trump administration officials and allies cautiously hailed the territorial collapse of the Islamic State in Syria. The administration emphasized the need to continue applying pressure by maintaining a presence in the country, while also blocking a territorial resurgence of the Islamic State.<ref name=collapse/>

In May 2019, the "Trade War" with China took a turn for the worse. Trade talks broke down and the United States raised tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods; China reciprocated. The Trump administration also imposed new restrictions on Chinese telecom firms, labeled China a currency manipulator, and threatened to halt all private U.S. investment in China.<ref>[https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/can-presidents-block-investment-china "Can Presidents Block Investment in China?"], ''Council on Foreign Relations'', September 5, 2019</ref>

On June 30, 2019, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to set foot in North Korea, for a brief meeting with its leader, [[Kim Jong-un|Kim Jong Un]].<ref name=korea>[https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/29/politics/kim-jong-un-donald-trump-dmz-north-korea/index.html "Trump takes 20 steps into North Korea, making history as first sitting US leader to enter hermit nation"], ''CNN'', June 30, 2019</ref> Kim admitted his surprise at Trump's request to meet, but accepted the offer due to their "excellent relationship" and the significance of meeting to denuclearize the Korean peninsula.<ref name=korea/>

On October 6, 2019, Trump said he would withdraw all remaining U.S. troops from Kurdish-controlled northern Syria. Turkey then invaded Syria to combat the Kurdish groups. The Trump administration responded by placing sanctions on Turkey, although it was a NATO ally.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/trump-syria-turkey-ceasefire.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage "Trump Claims Credit for a Syria Cease-Fire and Says U.S. Role in Region Is Over"], ''New York Times'', October 24, 2019</ref> 

In 2019, Trump stated that U.S. troops were in Syria "only for oil".<ref>{{cite news |author=Julian Borger |date=13 November 2019 |title=Trump contradicts aides and says troops in Syria 'only for oil' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/13/donald-trump-syria-oil-us-troops-isis-turkey}} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U10p3Tn9V5Y (Video)]</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=James G. Stewart |date=5 November 2019 |title=Trump keeps talking about 'keeping' Middle East oil. That would be illegal. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/11/05/trump-keeps-talking-about-keeping-middle-east-oil-that-would-be-illegal/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Conor Finnegan |date=28 October 2019 |title='We're keeping the oil' in Syria, Trump says, but it's considered a war crime |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/keeping-oil-syria-trump-considered-war-crime/story?id=66589757}}</ref>

On December 20, 2019, Trump spoke with China's [[paramount leader]] [[Xi Jinping]], when China agreed to make "large scale" purchases of U.S. farm goods. They planned to sign a formal agreement on a "phase one trade deal" aimed at eventually ending their 18-month trade war. During their talk, Xi told Trump he was deeply concerned about "negative words and deeds" from the U.S. regarding Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china/in-phone-call-with-trump-chinas-xi-says-u-s-interfering-in-internal-affairs-idUSKBN1YO1UN "In phone call with Trump, China's Xi says U.S. interfering in internal affairs"], ''Reuters'', December 20, 2020</ref> Along with some tariff relief, China agreed to make various structural changes concerning intellectual property and technology issues.<ref>[https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/20/trump-says-he-had-a-very-good-talk-with-president-xi-about-china-trade-deal.html "Trump says he had a 'very good talk with President Xi' about China trade deal"], ''CNBC'', December 20, 2020</ref> Actual Chinese purchases of American goods during 2020 fell far short of expectations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/30/white-house-says-us-china-trade-deal-among-issues-in-broad-review.html|title=White House says U.S.-China trade deal among issues in broad review|date=January 30, 2021|website=CNBC}}</ref> Ultimately, the phase 1 agreement failed to address any structural aspects of the structural conflicts between the United States and China.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=290}} The overall U.S. trade deficit worsened, with supply trade diverted from China to higher-cost foreign producers rather than being supplied domestically.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=290}} Tariffs imposed by the U.S. increased costs of Chinese imports for U.S. consumers and business.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=290}}

===2020===
{{quote box| align = right| width = 25em| bgcolor = LightCyan| quote = We are restoring the fundamental principles that the job of the American soldier is not to rebuild foreign nations, but defend — and defend strongly –our nation from foreign enemies.  We are ending the era of endless wars.  In its place is a renewed, clear-eyed focus on defending America's vital interests.  It is not the duty of U.S. troops to solve ancient conflicts in faraway lands that many people have never even heard of.  We are not the policemen of the world.| source = President Trump,<br>[[West Point]] Graduation Ceremony, June 13, 2020<ref>[https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-2020-united-states-military-academy-west-point-graduation-ceremony/ "Remarks by President Trump at the 2020 United States Military Academy at West Point Graduation Ceremony"], White House, June 13, 2020</ref>}}
January 2020 saw the outbreak of what would become the worldwide [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. On May 29, Trump announced that the U.S. would cease funding of the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) and pull out of the agency, claiming that it had protected China while the coronavirus outbreak there spread to other countries to become a [[pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.statnews.com/2020/05/29/trump-us-terminate-who-relationship/ |title=Trump: U.S. will terminate relationship with the World Health Organization in wake of Covid-19 pandemic |website=STAT |date=May 29, 2020 }}</ref>

The U.S. signed the [[Doha Agreement (2020)|Doha Agreement]] in February 2020, a peace deal with the [[Taliban]] that facilitated the [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021)|withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan]] and the official conclusion of the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|war in Afghanistan]].

In 2020, the U.S. brokered agreements that established or reestablished diplomatic and economic relations between [[Israel]] and four Muslim nations: the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Bahrain]], [[Sudan]], and [[Morocco]]. ''The New York Times'' and the ''Associated Press'' described these "[[Abraham Accords]]" as one of Trump's main foreign policy achievements.<ref name=Jakes>{{cite web|author=Lara Jakes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/20/us/politics/trump-israel-sudan-peace-accord.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Trump Incentives for Signing Peace Accords With Israel Could Be at Risk|date=December 20, 2020}}</ref><ref name=APAA>{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Matthew|date=December 10, 2020|title=Israel, Morocco to normalize ties; US shifts W Sahara policy|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-africa-israel-north-africa-morocco-4279242f6f688d242bad5c7a64e29caf|website=AP News}}</ref> Several of the normalization agreements involved diplomatic incentives offered by the U.S., which took steps to remove Sudan from the [[State Sponsors of Terrorism (U.S. list)|U.S.'s state sponsors of terrorism list]], to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the [[Political status of Western Sahara|disputed region]] of [[Western Sahara]], and to sell [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35]] stealth fighter jets to the UAE.<ref name=Jakes/>

The agreements between [[Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement|Israel and the UAE]], signed in August 2020, were the first between Israel and an Arab country in 25 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/trump-announces-uae-israel-peace-deal-first-its-kind-over-25-years-1524933 |title=Trump Announces UAE and Israel Peace Deal, First of Its Kind in Over 25 Years |work=Newsweek |date=August 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-u-a-e-pursue-economic-ties-in-wake-of-u-s-brokered-breakthrough-11598989870 |title=Israel, U.A.E. Pursue Economic Ties in Wake of U.S.-Brokered Breakthrough |website=Wall Street Journal |date=September 1, 2020}}</ref> A normalization agreement [[Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement|between Bahrain and Israel]] was signed in September 2020, providing for diplomatic relations (exchanging ambassadors and opening embassies), the establishment of direct flights, and cooperation in health care, technology, agriculture, and other mutual industries.<ref name=Wapo-Bahrain>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/11/80e6bf42-f451-11ea-999c-67ff7bf6a9d2_story.html "Bahrain to establish diplomatic relations with Israel as Trump touts diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East"], ''Washington Post'', September 11, 2020</ref>

Similar agreements to normalize ties were made [[Israel–Sudan normalization agreement|between Sudan and Israel]] in October 2020 (the agreement was for establishment of direct flights; an "end to the state of belligerence"; and direct economic and trade negotiations, with a focus on agriculture,<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israel-sudan-peace-normalization-terrorism/2020/10/23/285f53e4-1548-11eb-a258-614acf2b906d_story.html "Sudan agrees to normalize ties with Israel and end decades of hostility"], ''The Washington Post'', October 23, 2020</ref> but not full diplomatic relations<ref name=ArabNationsNormal/>) and [[Israel–Morocco normalization agreement|between Israel and Morocco]] in December 2020.<ref name=ArabNationsNormal>{{Cite web|first1=Lara |last1=Jakes |first2= Isabel |last2=Kershner |first3=Aida |last3=Alami |first4=David M. |last4=Halbfinger |date=December 10, 2020|title=Morocco Joins List of Arab Nations to Begin Normalizing Relations With Israel|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/10/world/middleeast/israel-morocco-trump.html|newspaper=New York Times}}</ref><ref name="diplomatic">{{cite web|date=September 11, 2020|title=Israel, Morocco agree to normalize relations in latest U.S.-brokered deal|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/israel-usa-morocco-idUSKBN28K2CN|access-date=December 10, 2020|website=reuters.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=December 10, 2020|title=Morocco latest country to normalise ties with Israel in US-brokered deal|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55266089}}</ref>

On September 4, 2020, after U.S.-brokered talks, [[Serbia]] and [[Kosovo]] signed an [[Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements (2020)|economic normalization agreement]], which also resulted in Serbia agreeing to move its embassy to Jerusalem, and mutual recognition between Israel and Kosovo.<ref name="Riechmann">{{cite web |last= Riechmann |first= Deb|url= https://apnews.com/3b7aca39c6829655d43de30f68497ed1 |title= Serbia, Kosovo normalize economic ties, gesture to Israel|publisher= Associated Press |date=September 4, 2020|access-date=September 4, 2020}}</ref> In January, at the urging of European leaders, the U.S. brokered an agreement to restore flights between the capitals of Serbia and Kosovo for the first time in more than two decades.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/20/world/europe/serbia-kosovo-flights-resume.html "Serbia-Kosovo Flights to Resume Under U.S.-Brokered Deal"], ''New York Times'', January 20, 2020</ref>

== Appointments ==
{{further|Cabinet of Donald Trump}}

{{multiple image
| header    = Trump's 2018 foreign policy team
| footer    =
| footer_align = center
| align     = right
| caption_align = center

| image1    = Mike Pence official portrait.jpg
| width1    = 100
| alt1      = Mike Pence
| caption1  = '''[[Mike Pence]]'''
| link1     = Mike Pence

| image2    = Gina Haspel official CIA portrait.jpg
| width2    = 100
| alt2      = Gina Haspel
| caption2  = '''[[Gina Haspel]]'''
| link2     = Gina Haspel

| image3    = John R. Bolton official photo.jpg
| width3    = 87
| alt3      = John Bolton
| caption3  = '''[[John Bolton]]'''
| link3     = John Bolton

| image4    = Dan Coats official DNI portrait.jpg
| width4    = 100
| alt4      = Dan Coats
| caption4  = '''[[Dan Coats]]'''
| link4     = Dan Coats

| image5    = Mike Pompeo official photo.jpg
| width5    = 100
| alt5      = Mike Pompeo
| caption5  = '''[[Mike Pompeo]]'''
| link5     = Mike Pompeo

| image6    = Nikki Haley official photo.jpg
| width6    = 100
| alt6      = Nikki Haley
| caption6  = '''[[Nikki Haley]]'''
| link6     = Nikki Haley

| image7    = James Mattis official photo.jpg
| width7    = 100
| alt7      = Jim Mattis
| caption7  = '''[[Jim Mattis]]'''
| link7     = Jim Mattis 
}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="8" |Trump administration Foreign Policy Personnel
|-
|[[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]]
| colspan="7" |[[Mike Pence|Pence]]<br /><small>(2017–2021)</small>
|-
|[[White House Chief of Staff]]
|[[Reince Priebus|Priebus]]<br /><small>(2017)</small>
| colspan="3" |[[John F. Kelly|Kelly]]<br /><small>(2017–2019)</small>
| colspan="2" |''[[Mick Mulvaney|Mulvaney]]''<br /><small>(2019–2020)</small>
|[[Mark Meadows|Meadows]]<br /><small>(2020–2021)</small>
|-
|[[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]
|''[[Thomas A. Shannon Jr.|Shannon]]''<br /><small>(2017)</small>
| colspan="2" |[[Rex Tillerson|Tillerson]]<br /><small>(2017–2018)</small>
|''[[John J. Sullivan (diplomat)|Sullivan]]''<br /><small>(2018)</small>
| colspan="3" |[[Mike Pompeo|Pompeo]]<br /><small>(2018–2021)</small>
|-
|[[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]
| colspan="2" |[[Jim Mattis|Mattis]]<br /><small>(2017–2019)</small>
|''[[Patrick M. Shanahan|Shanahan]]''<br /><small>(2019)</small>
|''[[Mark Esper|Esper]]''<br /><small>(2019)</small>
|''[[Richard V. Spencer|Spencer]]''<br /><small>(2019)</small>
|[[Mark Esper|Esper]]<br /><small>(2019–2020)</small>
|''[[Christopher C. Miller|Miller]]''<br /><small>(2020–2021)</small>
|-
|[[List of ambassadors of the United States to the United Nations|Ambassador to the United Nations]]
|''[[Michele J. Sison|Sison]]''<br /><small>(2017)</small>
| colspan="2" |[[Nikki Haley|Haley]]<br /><small>(2017–2018)</small>
|''[[Jonathan R. Cohen|Jonathan Cohen]]''<br /><small>(2019)</small>
| colspan="3" |[[Kelly Craft|Craft]]<br /><small>(2019–2021)</small>
|-
|[[Director of National Intelligence]]
|''[[Mike Dempsey (intelligence)|Dempsey]]''<br /><small>(2017)</small>
| colspan="2" |[[Dan Coats|Coats]]<br /><small>(2017–2019)</small>
| colspan="2" |''[[Joseph Maguire|Maguire]]''<br /><small>(2019–2020)</small>
|[[Richard Grenell|''Grenell'']]<br /><small>(2020)</small>
|[[John Ratcliffe (American politician)|Ratcliffe]]<br /><small>(2020–2021)</small>
|-
|[[Director of the Central Intelligence Agency]]
|[[Meroe Park|''Park'']]<br /><small>(2017)</small>
| colspan="2" |[[Mike Pompeo|Pompeo]]<br /><small>(2017–2018)</small>
| colspan="4" |[[Gina Haspel|Haspel]]<br /><small>(2018–2021)</small>
|-
|[[National Security Advisor (United States)|Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs]]
|[[Michael Flynn|Flynn]]<br /><small>(2017)</small>
|''[[Keith Kellogg|Kellogg]]''<br /><small>(2017)</small>
|[[H. R. McMaster|McMaster]]<br /><small>(2017–2018)</small>
|[[John Bolton|Bolton]]<br /><small>(2018–2019)</small>
|''[[Charles Kupperman|Kupperman]]''<br /><small>(2019)</small>
| colspan="2" |[[Robert C. O'Brien|O'Brien]]<br /><small>(2019–2021)</small>
|-
|[[Deputy National Security Advisor]]
|[[K. T. McFarland|McFarland]]<br /><small>(2017)</small>
| colspan="2" |[[Ricky L. Waddell|Waddell]]<br /><small>(2017–2018)</small>
|[[Mira Ricardel|Ricardel]]<br /><small>(2018)</small>
|[[Charles Kupperman|Kupperman]]<br /><small>(2019)</small>
| colspan="2" |[[Matthew Pottinger|Pottinger]]<br /><small>(2019–2021)</small>
|-
|[[Office of the United States Trade Representative|Trade Representative]]
|''[[Maria Pagan|Pagan]]''<br /><small>(2017)</small>
|''[[Stephen Vaughn|Vaughn]]''<br /><small>(2017)</small>
| colspan="5" |[[Robert Lighthizer|Lighthizer]]<br /><small>(2017–2021)</small>
|}
[[Mark Kevin Lloyd]], who began his role as the religious freedom adviser at the [[United States Agency for International Development|U.S. Agency for International Development]] (USAID) on May 26, 2020, has a history of making anti-Muslim statements. Several Muslim civil rights groups objected to his appointment. Lloyd had previously worked for the Trump campaign in Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trump's New 'Religious Freedom' Adviser At USAID Once Called Islam A 'Barbaric Cult'|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-usaid-religious-freedom-adviser-islamophobia_n_5ed0241cc5b6ed2d60cc7081|last=Abdelaziz|first=Rowaida|date=May 28, 2020|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref>

Merritt Corrigan, the deputy White House liaison at USAID, was fired on August 3, 2020, the same day she made a series of anti-LGBT tweets. These included her complaint that the US requires other countries to "celebrate sexual deviancy" to qualify for aid. Corrigan had made similar statements in the past.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lippman|first=Daniel|date=August 3, 2020|title=Trump USAID appointee unloads as rocky tenure ends|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/03/usaid-appointee-unloads-as-rocky-tenure-ends-390972|access-date=August 5, 2020|website=POLITICO|language=en}}</ref>

==Americas==
On March 3, 2019, [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]] [[John Bolton]] invoked the [[Monroe Doctrine]] in describing the Trump administration's policy in the Americas, saying "In this administration, we're not afraid to use the word Monroe Doctrine ... It's been the objective of American presidents going back to [President] [[Ronald Reagan]] to have a completely democratic hemisphere."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/john-bolton-were-not-afraid-to-use-the-word-monroe-doctrine|title=John Bolton: 'We're not afraid to use the word Monroe Doctrine'|date=March 3, 2019|access-date=March 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/03/04/what-is-monroe-doctrine-john-boltons-justification-trumps-push-against-maduro/|title=What is the Monroe Doctrine? John Bolton's justification for Trump's push against Maduro|date=March 4, 2019}}</ref>

In September 2019, following John Bolton's departure from the administration, Trump claimed that Bolton's views were "not necessarily tougher" than his own: "in some cases, he thought it was too tough what we were doing". Trump claimed that his own views on [[Cuba]] and [[Venezuela]] were "far stronger" than Bolton's and stated that he was "holding me back". In May 2019, Trump offered a different view of Bolton: "I actually temper John, which is pretty amazing."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Forgey |first1=Quint |title=Trump claims Bolton was 'holding me back!' |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/12/trump-john-bolton-marco-rubio-twitter-1492641 |access-date=September 18, 2019 |work=[[Politico]] |date=September 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chalfant |first1=Morgan |title=Trump: Bolton 'was holding me back' on Venezuela |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/461125-trump-bolton-was-holding-me-back-on-venezuela |access-date=September 18, 2019 |date=September 12, 2019|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref>

===Argentina===
{{See also|Argentina–United States relations}}
[[File:Donald Trump and Mauricio Macri in the Oval Office, April 27, 2017.jpg|thumb|Trump and Argentine President [[Mauricio Macri]], April 2017]]
President Trump hosted President [[Mauricio Macri]] in Washington, D.C. in April 2017. They met at the [[White House]] on April 27 to talk about trade.<ref>[https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/us-argentine-relations-and-the-visit-president-mauricio-macri U.S.–Argentina relations and the visit of President Mauricio Macri], www.wilsoncenter.com.</ref> When the [[ARA San Juan (S-42)|ARA ''San Juan'']] submarine went missing on November 15, 2017, during a routine patrol in the South Atlantic off the coast of Argentina, Trump offered the help of the United States to find the submarine.

===Brazil===
{{See also|Brazil–United States relations}}
[[File:Encontro com o Senhor Donald Trump, Presidente dos Estados Unidos da América (47422559941).jpg|thumb|Trump and Brazilian President [[Jair Bolsonaro]], March 2019]]
The two countries re-approached with the victory of the right-wing president, [[Jair Bolsonaro]], in the [[2018 Brazilian general election]]. On the first official visit of the Brazilian president to the United States in March 2019, Trump announced Brazil as [[Major non-NATO ally]]. In May, the U.S. government, through [[Kimberly Breier]], Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, announced formal support for Brazil's entry into the [[OECD]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Message to the Congress on Designating Brazil as a Major Non-NATO Ally|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/message-congress-designating-brazil-major-non-nato-ally/|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|date=May 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Official Twitter of President Jair Bolsonaro|url=https://twitter.com/jairbolsonaro/status/1131634002824245248|publisher=@jairbolsonaro|language=pt|date=May 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Official Twitter of United States Embassy in Brazil|url=https://twitter.com/EmbaixadaEUA/status/1131526230073851909|publisher=@EmbaixadaEUA|language=pt|date=May 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=USA Officially Supports Brazil's Candidature to The OECD|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/business/2019/05/usa-officially-supports-brazils-candidature-to-the-oecd.shtml|newspaper=Folha de S.Paulo|date=May 24, 2019}}</ref>

===Canada===
{{See also|Canada–United States relations#Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump (January 2017 – January 2021)}}
[[File:Trudeau visit White House for USMCA.jpg|thumb|Trump and Canadian Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]], June 2019]]
Trump met with [[Prime Minister of Canada|Canadian Prime Minister]] [[Justin Trudeau]] in February 2017 at the White House. Trudeau was the third world leader that Trump hosted since his inauguration as president, after the United Kingdom's Theresa May and Japan's Shinzo Abe.<ref name="CBCTrudeau"/> At the meeting Trump claimed that he viewed the United States' relationship with [[Canada]] as being different from its relationship with Mexico, and said he only foresaw minor adjustments to the Canadian side of [[North American Free Trade Agreement|NAFTA]].<ref name="CTVNAFTA">{{cite news|title=Trudeau says he still believes Trump's promise on NAFTA|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-says-he-still-believes-trump-s-promise-on-nafta-1.3327696|access-date=March 21, 2017|agency=The Canadian Press|publisher=CTV|date=March 16, 2017}}</ref> At the meeting Trump and Trudeau also discussed increased cooperation at the [[Canada–United States border]], combating opioid abuse, clean energy, and establishing a joint council to promote women in business.<ref name="BBCTrudeau">{{cite news|last1=Murphy|first1=Jessica|title=Trudeau meets Trump: A diplomatic balancing act|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38960968|access-date=March 21, 2017|publisher=BBC|date=February 13, 2017}}</ref>

In April 2017, the Trump administration took action on the longstanding [[Canada–United States softwood lumber dispute]], raising the possibility of a trade war. Following Trump's comment that Canada's lumber trade practices are unfair, the [[United States Department of Commerce]] announced plans to impose a retroactive duty of 30–40% on Canadian wood shipments to the United States. Canada's minister for trade said, "Canada will not be deterred and will vigorously defend our industry."<ref name="drew">{{cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/news/softwood-lumber-dispute-rears-its-head-again-as-u-s-prepares-to-levy-tariffs-of-up-to-40|title=Softwood lumber dispute rears its head again as U.S. prepares to levy tariffs|last=Hasselback|first=Drew|date=April 24, 2017|work=Financial Post|access-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref> The Canadian dollar fell to a 14-month low on the announcement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/04/25/loonie-drops-to-14-month-low-amid-softwood-lumber-dispute-with-us.html|title=Loonie drops to 14-month low amid softwood lumber dispute with U.S.|last=Marowits|first=Ross|date=April 25, 2017|work=The Star|access-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref>

In June 2018, Trump imposed tariffs with 25% on Canadian [[steel]] and 10% on Canadian [[aluminium]]. In July 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau imposed retaliatory tariffs with 25% on American steel and 10% on American aluminium.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/05/31/us-will-hit-canada-with-steel-and-aluminum-tariffs-as-of-midnight-tonight.html|date=May 31, 2018|access-date=June 11, 2018|title=Canada to hit U.S. with retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump's steel tariffs|work=The Star}}</ref>

On June 20, 2019, Trump and Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] met and held "positive" talks at the White House on topics regarding ratifying the [[United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement]], the detentions of [[Huawei]] CFO [[Meng Wanzhou]] and Canadian nationals [[Michael Spavor]] and Michael Kovrig, confronting China, and tariff negotiations. Trump called Trudeau a "friend" and, following Trudeau's trip, both Canadian and U.S. officials and media generally considered the talks constructive and helped thaw relations between the two allies, which had noticeably chilled in the early years of Trump's presidency.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/06/20/prime-minister-justin-trudeau-us-president-donald-trump-talk-china-trade-in-washington-thursday.html|date=June 20, 2019|access-date=July 7, 2019|title=As Trudeau and Trump meet, U.S. president says he will press China to release detained Canadians|work=The Star}}</ref>

===Caribbean===
[[File:President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump Meet with Caribbean Leaders (47391413372).jpg|thumb|Trump with Caribbean leaders in [[Palm Beach, Florida]], March 2019]]
During a summer 2017 meeting about immigration, Trump reportedly objected to receiving immigrants from [[Haiti]], reportedly saying "they all have [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]]." The White House denied the report.<ref name = "Kirby"/> During a meeting with congressional leaders on January 11, 2018, Trump complained about the number of immigrants from Haiti, saying "Why do we need more Haitians, take them out."<ref name = NBC/> He then referred to Haiti and [[El Salvador]], as well as unspecified African nations, as "shithole countries", although specific facts and details about these remarks were disputed.<ref name = NBC/>

===Chile===
{{See also|Chile–United States relations}}
[[File:Presidente Piñera sostiene reunión con Presidente Trump (2).jpg|thumb|Trump and Chilean President [[Sebastián Piñera]], September 2018]]

Trump called President [[Sebastián Piñera]] in January 2018, months before his return to [[La Moneda Palace]] and talked about the [[Chile–United States Free Trade Agreement]], the [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017|tax reform]] approved by the U.S. Senate, the [[2017–2018 Iranian protests]], and especially on the [[Crisis in Venezuela]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump llama a Piñera para felicitarlo por su próximo retorno a La Moneda |url=https://www.elmostrador.cl/noticias/pais/2018/01/03/trump-llama-a-pinera-para-felicitarlo-por-su-retorno-a-la-moneda/ |publisher=El Mostrador |access-date=August 31, 2021 |language=es |date=January 3, 2018}}</ref>

President Trump hosted President Piñera in Washington, D.C. in September 2018. They met at the White House on September 28. Chile was originally scheduled to host [[APEC Chile 2019|APEC 2019]] where Trump planned to sign a trade deal with the [[People's Republic of China]] to end a [[China–United States trade war|trade war]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile cancels international conference where Trump hoped to sign trade deal with China |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/chile-cancels-international-conference-where-trump-hoped-to-sign-trade-deal-with-china/2019/10/30/ab65effc-fb20-11e9-8190-6be4deb56e01_story.html |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=August 31, 2021 |date=October 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chile protagonista inesperado: Trump cambia de idea y anuncia acuerdo con China que se firmaría en la APEC |url=https://www.elmostrador.cl/destacado/2019/10/11/chile-protagonista-inesperado-trump-cambia-de-idea-y-anuncia-acuerdo-con-china-que-se-firmaria-en-la-apec/ |publisher=El Mostrador |access-date=August 31, 2021 |language=es |date=October 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Donald Trump, Xi Jinping set for November 17 meeting in Chile to sign interim trade war deal: source |url=https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3035340/donald-trump-xi-jinping-set-november-17-meeting-chile-sign |publisher=South China Morning Post |access-date=August 31, 2021 |date=October 29, 2019}}</ref> however the [[2019 Chilean protests]] happened. President Trump called Piñera and denounced "foreign efforts to undermine Chilean institutions, democracy, or society" and called Chile "an important ally, as it works to peacefully restore national order."<ref>{{cite web |author1=Judd Deere |title=Judd Deere on Chile 2019 Protests |url=https://twitter.com/JuddPDeere45/status/1189913565408440325 |publisher=Twitter |access-date=August 31, 2021 |date=October 31, 2019 |quote=Yesterday,  @POTUS   @realDonaldTrump  called President  @sebastianpinera  of Chile to express support for the decision to cancel the APEC Leaders Meeting and COP 25. The United States stands with Chile, an important ally, as it works to peacefully restore national order. President Trump denounced foreign efforts to undermine Chilean institutions, democracy, or society.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Trump llamó a Piñera y le aseguró que hay un "esfuerzo extranjero" que busca desestabilizar Chile |url=https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/chile/2019/10/31/trump-llamo-a-pinera-y-le-aseguro-que-hay-un-esfuerzo-extranjero-que-busca-desestabilizar-chile.shtml |publisher=Biobío Chile |access-date=August 31, 2021 |language=es |date=October 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Trump told Pinera he backs meetings cancellation, efforts to 'restore national order' in Chile: White House |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chile-protests-usa-idUSKBN1XA22P |publisher=Reuters |access-date=August 31, 2021 |date=October 31, 2019}}</ref>

Trump insisted on going to Chile before the definitive cancellation of the event saying "I know you have some difficulties at the moment in Chile. But I know the Chileans and I'm sure they'll be able to work it out... We are considering the possibility of getting ahead of schedule to sign a very important part of the agreement with China... much earlier".<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump confirma que vendrá a la APEC: "Conozco a los chilenos y estoy seguro que podrán resolverlo" |url=https://www.meganoticias.cl/mundo/280509-donald-trump-conozco-a-los-chilenos-manifestaciones-chile-apec-protestas-estallido-social.html |publisher=Meganoticias |access-date=August 31, 2021 |language=es |date=October 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Trump por estallido social en Chile: "Estoy seguro que podrán resolverlo" |url=https://www.latercera.com/mundo/noticia/trump-estallido-social-se-tienen-dificultades-este-momento-estoy-seguro-podran-resolverlo/881745/ |publisher=La Tercera |access-date=August 31, 2021 |language=es |date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>

In 2020 Piñera and Trump talked about the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump se contacta con Piñera para abordar la pandemia del coronavirus en América Latina |url=https://www.latercera.com/politica/noticia/trump-se-contacta-con-pinera-para-abordar-la-pandemia-del-coronavirus-en-america-latina/ATFSTXHKS5GNBPC6M2QK6F7KEQ/ |publisher=La Tercera |access-date=August 31, 2021 |language=es |date=May 7, 2020}}</ref>

===Cuba===
{{See also|Cuba–United States relations}}

During the campaign, Trump expressed his opposition to the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba achieved in July 2015.<ref name=":61">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/16/politics/donald-trump-cuba/index.html|title=Trump shifts on Cuba, says he would reverse Obama's deal|author=Jeremy Diamond|website=CNN|date=September 17, 2016|access-date=September 17, 2016}}</ref> Trump said that he would only restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba if the Cuban regime met his demands to restore [[political freedom]]s and free [[political prisoner]]s.<ref name=":61" /> This represented a shift from his position expressed in September 2015 when he said that the opening with Cuba was "fine. But we should have made a better deal."<ref name=":61" /> Trump also said that he opposed the [[Cuban Adjustment Act]], which allows any Cuban who reaches U.S. soil to remain in the country legally and apply for [[United States permanent residency]].<ref name=":74">{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/exclusive-interview-donald-trump-talks-cuba-oil-drilling-and-badly-hurt/2265296|title=Exclusive interview: Donald Trump talks Cuba, oil drilling and 'badly hurt' Marco Rubio|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=September 29, 2016}}</ref>

On June 16, 2017, Trump announced that he was cancelling the Obama administration's previous deals with [[Cuba]], while also expressing hope that a new deal could be negotiated between Cuba and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/15/politics/trump-cuba-obama/index.html|title=Trump chips away at Obama's legacy on Cuba|author=Dan Merica and Jim Acosta|website=CNN|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/16/live-stream-trump-announces-policy-changes-cuba/102918946/|title=Live stream: Trump announces policy changes on Cuba|work=USA TODAY|access-date=June 16, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

On November 1, 2018, [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]] [[John Bolton|John R. Bolton]] gave a speech in [[Miami]] in which he named Cuba as one of three countries that make up a "[[troika of tyranny]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-national-security-advisor-ambassador-john-r-bolton-administrations-policies-latin-america/|title=Remarks by National Security Advisor Ambassador John R. Bolton on the Administration's Policies in Latin America|language=en-US|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref>

On January 12, 2021, Cuba was readded to the [[State Sponsors of Terrorism (U.S. list)|State Sponsor of Terrorism]] list with [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Mike Pompeo]] citing "repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism" by harboring U.S. fugitives as well as Colombian rebel leaders. Cuba's support for [[Nicolás Maduro]] in the [[Venezuelan presidential crisis|presidential crisis]], which Pompeo said had allowed the Maduro administration to maintain power and create "a permissive environment for international terrorists to live and thrive within Venezuela", was another reason for the redesignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cuba-terrorism-list/trump-plans-to-return-cuba-to-us-list-of-state-sponsors-of-terrorism-source-idUSKBN29G1Y9|title=Trump plans to return Cuba to U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism: source|work=Reuters|date=January 11, 2021|access-date=January 11, 2021}}</ref> The redesignation came just eight days before Trump's presidency ended on January 20 at noon.

===Greenland===
{{further|Denmark–United States relations}}
[[File:President Trump Meets with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark (49170427867).jpg|thumb|Danish Prime Minister [[Mette Frederiksen]] and President Trump at the 2019 [[NATO summit]]]]
In August 2019, Trump expressed interest in buying the territory of [[Greenland]] from the country [[Denmark]]. In reaction, Greenland's foreign ministry declared that the territory was not for sale.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Sophie |title="Not for sale": Danish officials unanimously reject Trump's interest in buying Greenland |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/not-for-sale-danish-officials-unanimously-reject-trumps-interest-in-buying-greenland/ |website=[[CBS News]] |access-date=August 17, 2019 |date=August 16, 2019}}</ref> Citing Denmark's reluctance to discuss the purchase, days later Trump canceled a scheduled September trip to Copenhagen.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/20/us/politics/trump-cancels-greenland-trip.html|title=President Trump Cancels Trip to Denmark After Greenland Spat|first=Annie|last=Karni|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 20, 2019}}</ref>

The Trump administration declared [[rare-earth mineral]]s to be vital to national security. With Chinese companies investing in mining of Greenland's abundant resources, the U.S. signed in 2019 an agreement to fund an aerial survey of mineral resources in [[Garðar, Greenland|Gardar]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/11/24/781598549/greenland-is-not-for-sale-but-it-has-the-rare-earth-minerals-america-wants|title=Greenland Is Not For Sale. But It Has Rare Earth Minerals America Wants|website=NPR.org}}</ref>

===Mexico===
{{See also|Mexico–United States relations|Mexico–United States border crisis|Trump wall}}

====During the campaign====
During the campaign Trump emphasized U.S. border security and [[illegal immigration to the United States|illegal immigration]] as signature issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elpasonews.org/2015/08/donald-trump-is-a-failed-businessman/ |title=Donald Trump is a Failed Businessman |date=August 6, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |author=Paredes Martín |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924095143/http://elpasonews.org/2015/08/donald-trump-is-a-failed-businessman/ |archive-date=September 24, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He stated, "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. .... They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. Their rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."<ref name=Announcementspeech>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/16/full-text-donald-trump-announces-a-presidential-bid/ |title=Full text: Donald Trump announces a presidential bid |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |first=Donald |last=Trump |date=June 16, 2015}}</ref> He also talked about drugs and infectious diseases "pouring across the border".<ref name=businessinsider1>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trumps-epic-statement-on-mexico-2015-7 |title=Donald Trump's epic statement on Mexico |website=Business Insider |access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref>

In campaign speeches Trump repeatedly pledged to build a [[Mexico–United States barrier|wall along the U.S.'s southern border]], saying that Mexico would pay for its construction through increased border-crossing fees and NAFTA tariffs.<ref name=":55">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/08/31/us/politics/donald-trump-immigration-changes.html|title=A Look at Trump's Immigration Plan, Then and Now|last=Corasaniti|first=Nick|date=August 31, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Wire">{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/06/16/donald-trump-transcript-our-country-needs-a-truly-great-leader/ |title=Donald Trump Transcript: 'Our Country Needs a Truly Great Leader'|work=[[Federal News Service]] speech|date=June 16, 2015}}</ref><ref name="DrewWall">Kate Drew, [https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/09/this-is-what-trumps-border-wall-could-cost-us.html This is what Trump's border wall could cost US: A roughly 2,000-mile fence on the Mexican border would cost tens of billions], CNBC (October 9, 2015).</ref> Trump said his proposed wall would be "a real wall. Not a toy wall like we have now."<ref name="CBCBorderWall">{{citation|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/donald-trump-emphasizes-plans-to-build-real-wall-at-mexico-border-1.3196807 |date=August 19, 2015|title=Donald Trump emphasizes plans to build 'real' wall at Mexico border |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News}}</ref> After a meeting with Mexican President [[Enrique Peña Nieto]] on August 31, 2016, Trump said that they "didn't discuss" who would pay for the border wall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-holds-joint-press-conference-mexican-president/story?id=41770165|title=Trump 'Didn't Discuss' Border Wall Payment With Mexican President|date=August 31, 2016 |work=ABC News|access-date=August 31, 2016}}</ref> Nieto contradicted that later that day, saying that he at the start of the meeting "made it clear that Mexico will not pay for the wall".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/us/politics/donald-trump-immigration-speech.html|title=Donald Trump and Mexican Leader Clash in Accounts of Meeting|last=Healy|first=Patrick|date=August 31, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> Later that day, Trump reiterated his position that Mexico will pay to build an "impenetrable" wall on the Southern border.<ref name=":56">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-eases-terms-on-immigration-trade-after-meeting-with-mexican-president-enrique-pena-nieto-1472677336|title=Donald Trump Vows Deportations After Easing Tone in Meeting With Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto|last1=Epstein|first1=Reid J.|date=September 1, 2016|last2=Hook|first2=Janet|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|last3=Luhnow|first3=David|access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref>

Trump also vowed to impose tariffs — in the range of 15 to 35 percent — on companies that move their operations to Mexico.<ref name=":13">{{cite web|title=Trump suggests leaving WTO over import tax proposal|url=http://thehill.com/policy/finance/289005-trump-suggests-leaving-wto-over-import-tax-proposal|last=Needham|first=Vicki|date=July 24, 2016|website=The Hill|access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref> He specifically criticized the [[Ford Motor Company|Ford Motor Co.]], [[Carrier Global|Carrier Corporation]], and [[Mondelez International]].<ref name="Applebaum">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/us/politics/-trade-donald-trump-breaks-200-years-economic-orthodoxy-mercantilism.html|title=On Trade, Donald Trump Breaks With 200 Years of Economic Orthodoxy|last=Applebaum|first=Binyamin|date=March 10, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":13" /><ref name="dailybeast">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/18/trump-s-oreo-boycott.html|title=Donald Trump Won't Eat Oreos Because They're Too Mexican Now|date=August 8, 2015|website=Daily Beast|author=Michael Daly|access-date=April 9, 2016}}</ref> And he condemned the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA), saying that if elected president, "We will either renegotiate it, or we will break it."<ref name="bigstory.ap.org">Jill Colvin, [http://bigstory.ap.org/article/982f8146e10942b2b7f6a07e2077576d/trump-nafta-trade-deal-disaster-says-hed-break-it Trump: NAFTA trade deal a 'disaster,' says he'd 'break' it], Associated Press (September 25, 2015).</ref><ref name="cbsnews.com">Mark Thoma, [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-donald-trump-right-to-call-nafta-a-disaster/ Is Donald Trump right to call NAFTA a "disaster"?], CBS News (October 5, 2015).</ref>

====During the administration====
[[File:President Trump Welcomes the President of Mexico to the White House (50090910788).jpg|thumb|Trump and Mexican President [[Andrés Manuel López Obrador]], July 2020]]

Trump's rhetoric as a candidate and as president "cranked up the tension in US-Mexico relations to a high not seen in decades".<ref name = "Nicole">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/22/politics/tillerson-kelly-trip-to-mexico/|title=Mexico slams US immigration plan as Tillerson arrives|last1=Gaouette|first1=Nicole|last2=Kosikski|first2=Michelle|date=February 23, 2017|work=CNN|access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref> On January 25, 2017, Trump signed an executive order calling for "immediate construction of a physical wall on the southern border".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/25/politics/donald-trump-build-wall-immigration-executive-orders/|title=Trump orders construction of border wall, boosts deportation force|last=Diamond|first=Jeremy|date=January 25, 2017|work=CNN|access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref> He reiterated that Mexico will eventually pay for the wall. Mexican President [[Enrique Peña Nieto]] had been scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on January 31. However, on January 26 Peña Nieto called off the visit, not citing a reason. The two leaders spoke by telephone on January 27. In statements afterward they acknowledged their differences on the issue and said they intend to work them out, as well as other issues such as security and trade.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/27/512032854/after-canceling-white-house-visit-pena-nieto-speaks-to-trump-by-phone|title=After Canceling White House Visit, Peña Nieto Speaks To Trump By Phone|last=Hersher|first=Rebecca|date=January 27, 2017|work=NPR|access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref>

Polls also show 5 percent of Mexicans trust Trump's decisions and role in international affairs. The survey by the [[Pew Research Center]] said 93 percent of Mexicans had "no confidence in the U.S. president to do the right thing regarding world affairs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pewglobal.org/2017/06/26/u-s-image-suffers-as-publics-around-world-question-trumps-leadership/|title=U.S. Image Suffers as Publics Around World Question Trump's Leadership|date=2017-06-26|work=Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project|access-date=2017-11-27|language=en-US}}</ref>" The president's decision for a wall along the Mexican border had a proposed 2018 budget that included a request for $1.6 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1600000000|start_year=2018}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) to begin construction. A November 2017 [[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac University Poll]] found that 64% of voters oppose building the wall and data showed only 33% supported the idea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pollingreport.com/immigration.htm|title=Immigration|website=www.pollingreport.com|access-date=November 27, 2017}}</ref>

Funding for the border wall remained a divisive topic well into 2019, with a [[2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown|partial government shutdown]] beginning in December 2018 after Trump refused to sign a budget bill that didn't have appropriated funding for the border wall.

However, both countries manage to replace the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA) with the [[United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement]] (USMCA) in 2018.

Peña Nieto's successor, [[Andrés Manuel López Obrador]] managed to have a cordial relationship with Trump, the latter also offered him his personal treatment against COVID-19 when he contracted it and they had a "pact of silence" on the border wall.<ref>{{cite web |title=AMLO revela "pacto de silencio" sobre el muro entre él y Trump |url=https://www.elmostrador.cl/dia/2021/08/31/amlo-revela-pacto-de-silencio-sobre-el-muro-entre-el-y-trump/ |publisher=El Mostrador |access-date=September 2, 2021 |language=es |date=August 31, 2021}}</ref>

===Nicaragua===
{{Main|Nicaragua–United States relations}}
Over the course of the [[2018–2021 Nicaraguan protests|civil unrest in Nicaragua]] that started in April 2018, the Trump administration placed numerous sanctions and condemnations against President [[Daniel Ortega]] and his [[Sandinista National Liberation Front|Sandinista government]] for human rights abuses. The first set of sanctions took place in early July 2018 when under [[Magnitsky Act|Magnitsky]], three top Sandinista officials had their visas revoked.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daugherty |first1=Alex |title=Trump sanctions top Nicaraguan officials for attacks on demonstrators |url=https://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2018/07/trump-sanctions-top-nicaraguan-officials-for-attacks-on-demonstrators.html |newspaper=Miami Herald |access-date=July 5, 2018}}</ref> More sanctions and condemnations rolled in after U.S. National Security Advisor [[John Bolton]] named Nicaragua as part of a [[troika of tyranny]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Caputo |first1=Marc |title=Trump's 'troika of tyranny' sanctions have Florida audience in mind |url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2019/04/17/trumps-troika-of-tyranny-sanctions-have-florida-audience-in-mind-976898 |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref> including on November 27, 2018, when Trump issued an executive order targeting the [[Rosario Murillo|First Lady and Vice President]] of Nicaragua and her aide Néstor Moncada Lau,<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Order on Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Nicaragua |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-blocking-property-certain-persons-contributing-situation-nicaragua/ |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=November 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=President Donald J. Trump is Pressuring the Nicaraguan Regime to Restore Democracy and the Rule of Law |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-pressuring-nicaraguan-regime-restore-democracy-rule-law/ |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=November 27, 2018}}</ref> and later on December 20, 2018, when Trump signed then-Florida Congresswoman [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]]'s [[Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act|Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act]] (NICA) into law.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement by the President |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-by-the-president-14/ |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=December 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1918|title=H.R.1918 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018|first=Ileana|last=Ros-Lehtinen|date=December 20, 2018|website=www.congress.gov}}</ref>

On April 17, 2019, shortly before the one-year anniversary of the unrest, the Trump Administration announced sanctions on the Nicaraguan bank BANCORP and on Laureano Ortega Murillo, who is one of President Ortega's sons.<ref>{{cite web |title=President Donald J. Trump Is Taking A Stand For Democracy and Human Rights In the Western Hemisphere |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-taking-stand-democracy-human-rights-western-hemisphere/ |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> After [[2019 Bolivian political crisis|Evo Morales' resignation in Bolivia]], Trump issued a statement in reaction that Nicaragua's [[Daniel Ortega]] and Venezuela's [[Nicolás Maduro]] regimes, both of which he viewed as illegitimate, should be warned.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trump |first1=Donald |title=Statement from President Donald J. Trump Regarding the Resignation of Bolivian President Evo Morales |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-donald-j-trump-regarding-resignation-bolivian-president-evo-morales/ |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=November 29, 2019}}</ref>

===Peru===
{{See also|Peru–United States relations}}
[[File:Donald Trump and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the Oval Office, February 24, 2017.jpg|thumb|Trump and Peruvian President [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]], February 2017]]
President Trump hosted President [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]] in Washington, D.C. in February 2017. They met at the White House on February 24 to discuss [[Latin America–United States relations|issues in Latin America]]. Trump expressed gratitude for Peru's close relations with the United States in protecting interests in Latin America, such as [[International sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis|sanctions against Venezuela]] and corruption probes. Kuczynski brought up a minor purchase of military equipment from the United States for Peru. Kuczynski later recalled that Trump privately mentioned to Kuczynski that "You don't look a day over 90." Kuczynski was 79 at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alumni.princeton.edu/learntravel/lectures/videodetail/index.xml?videoid=490|title=Alumni Association of Princeton University – A New Age for Latin America? (Lecture Segment)|website=alumni.princeton.edu|access-date=February 10, 2019|archive-date=March 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315212404/http://alumni.princeton.edu/learntravel/lectures/videodetail/index.xml?videoid=490|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Venezuela===
{{See also|United States–Venezuela relations}}
[[File:President Trump Delivers Remarks to the Venezuelan American Community (47145953601).jpg|thumb|Trump delivers remarks to the [[Venezuelan Americans|Venezuelan American]] community in Miami, Florida, February 2019]]
In August 2017, following [[2017 Venezuelan protests|months of protests in Venezuela]] against President [[Nicolás Maduro]] and the [[2017 Venezuelan Constituent Assembly election|election of a Constituent Assembly]] which consolidated Maduro's power,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lapatilla.com/site/2017/08/13/entre-indignacion-rabia-impotencia-y-miedo-muchos-opositores-han-abandonado-las-calles/|title=Entre indignación, rabia, impotencia y miedo, muchos opositores han abandonado las calles|date=August 13, 2017|work=[[La Patilla]]|access-date=August 14, 2017|language=es-ES}}</ref> the Trump administration described the Venezuelan government as a "dictatorship".<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/11/politics/trump-xi-north-korea/index.html|title=Trump says he won't rule out military option in Venezuela|last=Merica|first=Dan|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=July 6, 2018}}</ref> Trump further stated on August 11, 2017, a week after the [[2017 Constituent National Assembly|Constituent National Assembly]] was sworn in, that "Venezuela is not very far away and the people are suffering, and they are dying" and that the United States had "many options for Venezuela," including a possible "military option".<ref name=":5" />

At the time, Trump's advisers, including then-[[National Security Advisor (United States)|United States National Security Advisor]] [[H. R. McMaster]], strongly discouraging Trump from military intervention in Venezuela, explaining that Latin American governments were against foreign intervention in the region, though Trump raised some questions about the option.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/04/politics/donald-trump-venezuela-invasion/index.html|title=Trump asked advisers about invading Venezuela in 2017|last=Diamond|first=Jeremy|date=July 5, 2018|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=July 6, 2018}}</ref> However, when meeting with Latin American leaders during the [[seventy-second session of the United Nations General Assembly]], Trump discussed possible United States military intervention in Venezuela, to which they all denied the idea.<ref name=":6" />

Following these discussions, the Trump administration instead pursued [[International sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis|targeted sanctions against officials within the Venezuelan government]].<ref name=":6" />

On January 23, 2019, during the [[Venezuelan presidential crisis]], Venezuela broke ties with the United States following Trump's announcement of recognizing [[Juan Guaidó]], the president of Venezuela's [[National Assembly (Venezuela)|National Assembly]], as the interim President of Venezuela.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maduro says Venezuela is breaking relations with US, gives American diplomats 72 hours to leave country |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/23/venezuela-president-maduro-breaks-relations-with-us-gives-american-diplomats-72-hours-to-leave-country.html |publisher=CNBC |date=January 23, 2019}}</ref> On February 18, 2019, Trump warned members of Venezuela's military to renounce loyalty to Nicolás Maduro.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ditch Maduro or lose everything, Trump tells Venezuelan army |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/18/trump-venezuela-nicolas-maduro-juan-guaido |work=The Guardian |date=February 18, 2019}}</ref> The U.S. continued to show support for Juan Guaidó during the attempted [[2019 Venezuelan uprising attempt|April 30 uprising]].{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Venezuela is one of the three countries condemned in John Bolton's "[[Troika of tyranny|Troika of Tyranny]]" speech in Miami.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/latino/414333-bolton-dubs-cuba-venezuela-and-nicaragua-the-troika-of-tyranny|title=Bolton dubs Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua the 'Troika of Tyranny'|last=Cohn|first=Alicia|date=November 1, 2018|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref> Trump also issued a warning to Maduro, along with [[Daniel Ortega]] of Nicaragua, following the [[2019 Bolivian political crisis|downfall of Evo Morales in Bolivia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=The Latest: Morales says he's leaving Bolivia for Mexico |url=https://www.journalnow.com/news/national/the-latest-trump-welcomes-resignation-of-bolivian-president/article_55eb946d-4726-509e-b093-5679f4b0dff4.html |newspaper=Winston-Salem Journal |access-date=November 30, 2019 |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119111832/https://www.journalnow.com/news/national/the-latest-trump-welcomes-resignation-of-bolivian-president/article_55eb946d-4726-509e-b093-5679f4b0dff4.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Asia==
===East Asia===
====China, Taiwan, and the South China Sea====
{{Main|United States foreign policy toward the People's Republic of China}}
{{See also|China–United States relations#Trump administration (2017–2021)|One-China policy|Taiwan Travel Act|Taiwan–United States relations|China–United States trade war|TikTok#United States|Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act|Hong Kong Autonomy Act}}
[[File:President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcome Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan to Mar-a-Lago.jpg|thumb|Trump and [[Chinese Communist Party]] [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|general secretary]] [[Xi Jinping]] with their spouses, April 2017.<ref name="Xi's title"/>]]
Trump's presidency led to a shift in U.S. relations with China.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Allen-Ebrahimian | first1=Bethany | title=Special report: Trump's U.S.-China transformation | url=https://www.axios.com/trump-china-policy-special-report-154fa5c2-469d-4238-8d72-f0641abc0dfa.html | date=January 19, 2021 | work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] | access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref>

During the campaign Trump accused the [[China|People's Republic of China]] (PRC) of [[Renminbi currency value|currency manipulation]].<ref name="PalmerSchreckinger">Doug Palmer & Ben Schreckinger, [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/donald-trump-china-currency-manipulation-215679 Trump's trade views vows to declare China a currency manipulator on Day One], ''Politico'' (November 10, 2015).</ref> He pledged to carry out "swift, robust and unequivocal" action against Chinese piracy, [[Counterfeit consumer goods|counterfeit]] American goods, and theft of U.S. [[trade secret]]s and [[intellectual property]]. He also condemned China's "illegal [[Export subsidy|export subsidies]] and lax labor and environmental standards."<ref name="PalmerSchreckinger" /> In January 2016, Trump proposed a 45 percent [[tariff]] on [[List of the largest trading partners of China|Chinese exports to the United States]] to give "American workers a level playing field."<ref name="Haberman">Maggie Haberman, [https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/07/donald-trump-says-he-favors-big-tariffs-on-chinese-exports/ Donald Trump Says He Favors Big Tariffs on Chinese Exports], ''New York Times'' (January 7, 2016).</ref><ref name="Appelaum2">Binyamin Appelaum, [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/us/politics/-trade-donald-trump-breaks-200-years-economic-orthodoxy-mercantilism.html On Trade, Donald Trump Breaks With 200 Years of Economic Orthodoxy], ''New York Times'' (March 10, 2016).</ref> He dismissed possible Chinese reactions, such as sales of [[United States Treasury security|U.S. bonds]] or instituting a trade war, as unlikely and unimportant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2016/02/11/donald-trump-on-trade-deficit-with-china/|title=Donald Trump on the trade deficit with China|date=February 11, 2016|publisher=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=May 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530174412/http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2016/02/11/donald-trump-on-trade-deficit-with-china/|archive-date=May 30, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/05/20/trump-who-the-hell-cares-if-theres-a-trade-war/|title=Trump: 'Who the hell cares if there's a trade war?'|access-date=May 21, 2016|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>
<!--Side note: No entity called Taiwanese President exist but the Republic of China-->

On December 2, 2016, as president-elect, he accepted a congratulatory telephone call from [[President of the Republic of China]] ([[Free area of the Republic of China|Taiwan]]) [[Tsai Ing-wen]]. That was the first such contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since 1979 and provoked the People's Republic of China to lodge a diplomatic protest ("stern representations").<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-taiwan-idUSKBN13R2NT|title=China lodges protest after Trump call with Taiwan president|date=December 4, 2016|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="taiw">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-china-idUSKBN1400TY|title=Trump says U.S. not necessarily bound by 'one China' policy|date=December 12, 2016|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref> Trump suggested he did not feel bound by America's traditional [[One-China policy|'one China' policy]], considering it open to negotiation.<ref name="taiw" />

At his confirmation hearing in January 2017, Secretary of State-designate [[Rex Tillerson]] expressed strong opposition to the Chinese practice since 2014 of building artificial islands in the [[South China Sea]] as a way of claiming sovereignty over it, saying China should be blocked from accessing the islands. Portions of the South China Sea are claimed as territorial waters by multiple nations including the PRC, ROC, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines.<ref name="hunt">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/02/asia/us-china-south-china-sea/|title=Trump, Tillerson and the South China Sea: What's at stake|last=Hunt|first=Katie|date=February 2, 2017|work=CNN|access-date=March 21, 2017}}</ref> On January 23, 2017, White House spokesman [[Sean Spicer]] said "It's a question of if [the [[Spratly Islands]]] are in fact in international waters and not part of China proper, then yeah, we're going to make sure that we defend international territories from being taken over by one country."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-southchinasea-idUSKBN1572M4|title=China says will protect South China Sea sovereignty|date=January 24, 2017|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref>

On taking office, the Trump administration stopped negotiations on a [[bilateral investment treaty]] with China which had begun in 2008.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=312}} According to [[Michael Froman]], the lead negotiator during the preceding four years, the effort to reach an agreement was "more than 90 percent complete."<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=312}}

[[File:Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meets at 2018 G20 Summit.jpg|thumb|Trump and [[Xi Jinping]] at the [[2018 G20 Buenos Aires summit|2018 G20 Summit]].|alt=Donald Trump and Xi Jinping stand next to each other, both smiling and wearing suits]]
[[File:President Trump at the G20 (48162295476).jpg|thumb|Trump and Xi Jinping at the [[2019 G20 Osaka summit|G20 Summit in Osaka]], June 2019]]
On February 4, on a visit to [[Japan]], U.S. Defense Secretary [[Jim Mattis|James Mattis]] reaffirmed Washington's commitment under the [[Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between the United States and Japan|Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan]] to defending Japan, including the [[Senkaku Islands]] in the [[East China Sea]] that are claimed by China.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/03/asia/us-defense-secretary-mattis-japan-visit/ Mattis: US will defend Japanese islands claimed by China] CNN, February 4, 2017.</ref>

On February 9, Trump reaffirmed American commitment to the One-China policy in a telephone call with [[Chinese Communist Party]] general secretary [[Xi Jinping]]. The call was described as cordial and as "putting an end to the extended chill" in the relationship between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/09/world/asia/donald-trump-china-xi-jinping-letter.html|title=Trump Tells Xi Jinping U.S. Will Honor 'One China' Policy|last1=Landler|first1=Mark|last2=Forsythe|first2=Michael|date=February 9, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 21, 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, the Trump administration terminated the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) between China and the United States.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|pages=287-288}} The JCCT had met annually from 1983 to 2016 and had been a generally effective mechanism to address various trade issues between the two countries.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|pages=287-288}} The Trump administration also terminated the [[U.S.–China Strategic and Economic Dialogue|Strategic and Economic Dialogue]] after holding the June 2017 meeting under the name "Comprehensive Economic Dialogue."<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=288}}

The relations significantly deteriorated in 2018 and in 2019 when Trump launched a [[China–United States trade war|trade war against China]], banned US companies from selling equipment to [[Huawei]], increased visa restrictions on Chinese nationality students and scholars and designated China as a "[[currency manipulator]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/06/trade-war-china-responds-to-us-after-claim-of-being-a-currency-manipulator.html|title=China responds to US after Treasury designates Beijing a 'currency manipulator'|last=Meredith|first=Sam|date=August 6, 2019|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/9d24c1ca-b7cd-11e9-96bd-8e884d3ea203|title=US Treasury officially labels China a currency manipulator|website=Financial Times|date=August 6, 2019|language=en-GB|access-date=August 6, 2019|url-access=subscription|last1=Sevastopulo|first1=Demetri|last2=Smith|first2=Colby}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2019/05/china-trade-war-sino-american-ties-torn-brick-brick-190512132227395.html|title=China-US trade war: Sino-American ties being torn down brick by brick|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=August 18, 2019|archive-date=September 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904140940/https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2019/05/china-trade-war-sino-american-ties-torn-brick-brick-190512132227395.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-us-china-trade-stalemate-20190531-story.html|title=For the U.S. and China, it's not a trade war anymore — it's something worse|date=May 31, 2019|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref>

On November 27, 2019, Trump signed the [[Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act]] to impose sanctions against [[Mainland China]] and [[Hong Kong]] officials considered responsible for [[Human rights in Hong Kong|human rights abuses in Hong Kong]]<ref name=Desk>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/business/hong-kong-human-rights-act.html |title=U.S. Bill Supporting Hong Kong Rights Heads to Trump's Desk |last1=Yaffe-Bellany |first1=David |date=November 20, 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 21, 2019 |last2=Rappeport |first2=Alan |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121135815/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/business/hong-kong-human-rights-act.html |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="S1838">{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s1838/summary#libraryofcongress|title=S. 1838: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019|last=[[Congressional Research Service]]|via=[[GovTrack.us]]|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927041034/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s1838/summary#libraryofcongress|archive-date=September 27, 2019}} }}</ref><ref name="H.R.3289">{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr3289/summary#libraryofcongress|title=H.R. 3289: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019|last=Congressional Research Service|via=GovTrack|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927051956/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr3289/summary#libraryofcongress|archive-date=September 27, 2019}} }}</ref> The passage of the bill was supported by [[Pro-democracy camp (Hong Kong)|pro-democracy activists]] in [[Hong Kong]],<ref name=Desk/> and in 2019 received near-unanimous support in Congress.<ref name=DenyerLiang>Simon Denyer & Tiffany Liang, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/hong-kong-moves-to-center-stage-of-us-china-showdown/2019/11/21/517aa47e-0bd8-11ea-8054-289aef6e38a3_story.html China says Trump is on 'edge of precipice' as Hong Kong rights bill hits his desk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122160135/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/hong-kong-moves-to-center-stage-of-us-china-showdown/2019/11/21/517aa47e-0bd8-11ea-8054-289aef6e38a3_story.html |date=November 22, 2019 }}, ''Washington Post'' (November 21, 2019).</ref>

On January 24, 2020, in the early stages of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Trump tweeted that "China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency."<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump attack on Biden highlights president's own past dealings with China |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/24/donald-trump-bank-of-china-debt-report |work=The Guardian |date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> Trump later referred to the coronavirus as "Chinese virus".<ref>{{cite news |title=C.I.A. Hunts for Authentic Virus Totals in China, Dismissing Government Tallies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/us/politics/cia-coronavirus-china.html |work=The New York Times |date=April 2, 2020}}</ref> During an April 15 White House news conference, Trump said the U.S. government is trying to determine if the COVID-19 virus emanated from the [[Wuhan Institute of Virology]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump, aides flirt with China lab coronavirus conspiracy theory |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/trump-aides-flirt-china-lab-coronavirus-conspiracy-theory-200417094336525.html |work=Al Jazeera |date=April 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=Steve |last2=Brunnstrom |first2=David |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-trump-china/trump-says-us-investigating-whether-virus-came-from-wuhan-lab-idUSKCN21Y01B |title=Trump says U.S. investigating whether virus came from Wuhan lab |work=[[Reuters]] |date=April 15, 2020}}</ref>

By May 2020 relations had reached a new low as both sides were accusing the other of guilt for the worldwide coronavirus epidemic. Washington  mobilized a campaign of investigations, prosecutions and export restrictions. Beijing stepped up military activities in the contested South China Sea, and launched denunciations of American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Chinese officials have publicly speculated that the American military deliberately unleashed the virus in China. American polls show the public had increasingly negative views of China.<ref>Kate O'Keeffe, Michael C. Bender and Chun Han Wong, "Coronavirus Casts Deep Chill Over U.S.-China Relations: Pandemic has brought relations between the two to a modern-day nadir as they try to outmaneuver one another to shape the world order" [https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-casts-deep-chill-over-u-s-china-relations-11588781420?mod=hp_lead_pos5  ''Wall Street Journal'' May 6, 2020]</ref>

On June 17, 2020, Trump signed the [[Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump signed a law to punish China for its oppression of the Uighur Muslims. Uighurs say much more needs to be done |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/uighur-china-detention-centers-activists-urge-accountability-2020-2 |work=Business Insider |date=June 30, 2020}}</ref> which authorizes the imposition of U.S. sanctions against Chinese government officials responsible for [[Xinjiang internment camps|detention camps]] holding more than 1 million members of the country's [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]] [[Islam in China|Muslim]] minority.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump held off sanctioning Chinese over Uighurs to pursue trade deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53138833 |work=BBC News |date=June 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Congress urges Trump administration to get tougher on China's Xinjiang crackdown |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-xinjiang-congress/u-s-congress-urges-trump-administration-to-get-tougher-on-chinas-xinjiang-crackdown-idUSKBN24334S |work=Reuters |date=July 2, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Trump on China - Putting America First (November 2, 2020), front cover.png|thumb|''Trump on China: Putting America First'' ([[Wikisource:en:Trump on China: Putting America First|Wikisource]]), published in November 2020, a collection of speeches laying out Trump's policy on China]]
On July 9, 2020, the Trump administration imposed sanctions and visa restrictions against senior Chinese officials, including [[Chen Quanguo]], [[Zhu Hailun]], Wang Mingshan ({{lang|zh-hans|[[:zh:王明山|王明山]]}}) and Huo Liujun ({{lang|zh-hans|霍留军}}). With sanctions, they and their immediate relatives are barred from entering the US and will have US-based assets frozen.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53355697 |title=US sanctions Chinese officials over Xinjiang 'violations'| work=www.bbc.com| date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> The sanction is based on the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act.

On July 14, 2020, Trump signed the [[Hong Kong Autonomy Act]], which is sanctioning Chinese officials and entities for China's "repressive actions" against the people of Hong Kong, and issued an executive order ending the territory's preferential treatment by the U.S.; The law authorizes the State and Treasury departments to impose sanctions on those involved in imposing the Hong Kong security law, and also targeted banks involved in significant transactions with offenders.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jul/14/donald-trump-signs-law-authorizing-china-sanctions/|title=Trump signs law authorizing China sanctions over Hong Kong crackdown|newspaper=Washington Times |date=July 14, 2020|access-date=July 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5866899/trump-bill-sanctions-hong-kong-china/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714232837/https://time.com/5866899/trump-bill-sanctions-hong-kong-china/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2020|title= Trump Signs Bill Approving Sanctions on China Over Hong Kong Crackdown|magazine=Time |date=July 14, 2020|access-date=July 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/14/trump-hong-kong-china-sanctions-361636|title=Trump signs Hong Kong sanctions bill in blow for China|work=Politico |date=July 14, 2020|access-date=July 17, 2020}}</ref>

On July 22, 2020, the US government ordered Chinese diplomats to close the [[Chinese Consulate-General, Houston|Chinese Consulate-General in Houston]] and vacate within 72 hours, triggering a diplomatic backlash from Chinese officials. Boston College political scientist [[Robert S. Ross]] said that the Trump "administration would like to fully decouple from China. No trade, no cultural exchanges, no political exchanges, no cooperation on anything that resembles common interests."<ref>{{cite news |title=China told to close Houston consulate |url=https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2020/jul/23/china-told-to-close-houston-consulate/ |website=Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette |date=July 23, 2020 }}</ref> Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman [[Wang Wenbin]] issued a statement in response requesting the U.S. to reverse the closure, threatening reciprocal actions otherwise.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Orders China to Close Its Houston Consulate in 72 Hours |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/world/asia/us-china-houston-consulate.html |access-date=July 22, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 22, 2020}}</ref> With the US not backing down on its earlier directive, on July 24, Chinese authorities order the closure of the [[Consulate General of the United States, Chengdu|U.S. Consulate-General in Chengdu]].<ref>{{cite news |title=China tells US to close consulate in Chengdu in growing spat |url=https://apnews.com/5979db970a71ec5a0fdd3ba6ac92e03d |access-date=July 24, 2020 |work=AP NEWS |date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> The White House urged China later on that day to not engage in "tit-for-tat retaliation".<ref>{{cite news |title=China tells U.S. to close consulate in Chengdu in growing spat |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/u-s-consulate-chengdu-china-1.5661427 |agency=AP and Reuters |publisher=CBC |date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

On July 23, 2020, [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Mike Pompeo]] announced the end of what he called "blind engagement" with the Chinese government. He also criticized [[Chinese Communist Party]] [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|general secretary]] [[Xi Jinping]]<ref name="Xi's title">{{Cite web|last=Churchill|first=Owen|title=US officials now call Xi Jinping 'general secretary' instead of China's 'president' – but why?|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3094669/us-officials-switch-calling-chinas-xi-jinping|date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> as "a true believer in a bankrupt totalitarian ideology."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Re|first=Gregg|title=Pompeo announces end of 'blind engagement' with communist China: 'Distrust but verify'|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pompeo-announces-end-blind-engagement-communist-china|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|website=Fox News|language=en}}</ref>

In August 2020, [[Carrie Lam]] and ten other [[Government of Hong Kong|Hong Kong government]] officials were sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury under an executive order for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy.<ref>{{cite news |title=US sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, police chief and 9 other top officials for 'undermining autonomy' |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/08/07/breaking-us-sanctions-hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-police-chief-and-other-top-officials-for-undermining-autonomy/ |access-date=August 7, 2020 |work=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |date=August 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Macias |first1=Amanda |title=U.S. sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam for carrying out Chinese 'policies of suppression' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/07/us-sanctions-hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam.html |access-date=August 7, 2020 |work=CNBC |date=August 7, 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1088 |publisher= [[United States Department of the Treasury]] |title= Treasury Sanctions Individuals for Undermining Hong Kong's Autonomy |date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> The sanction is based on the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and Lam would be listed in the [[Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List]].

On August 9, 2020, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary [[Alex Azar]] visited Taiwan to meet President [[Tsai Ing-wen]], the first visit by an American official since the break in diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei in 1979.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.voanews.com/usa/us-health-and-human-services-secretary-visits-taiwan |title=US Health and Human Services Secretary Visits Taiwan |website=VOA News |date=August 9, 2020 }}</ref>

On August 13, 2020, U.S. Department of State designated the [[Confucius Institute]] U.S. Center as a foreign mission of the PRC, "recognizing CIUS for what it is:  an entity advancing Beijing's global propaganda and malign influence campaign on U.S. campuses and K-12 classrooms.  Confucius Institutes are funded by the PRC and part of the Chinese Communist Party's global influence and propaganda apparatus."<ref>{{cite web |last1= POMPEO |first1= MICHAEL R. |title= Designation of the Confucius Institute U.S. Center as a Foreign Mission of the PRC |url= https://www.state.gov/designation-of-the-confucius-institute-u-s-center-as-a-foreign-mission-of-the-prc/ |access-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200813172054/https://www.state.gov/designation-of-the-confucius-institute-u-s-center-as-a-foreign-mission-of-the-prc/| archive-date=August 13, 2020}}</ref>

On September 22, 2020, Trump mentioned during the [[Seventy-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly|75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly]] that "China locked down travel domestically while allowing flights to leave China and infect the world" in regard to [[COVID-19 pandemic]], then he added, "The Chinese government and the [[World Health Organization]] — which is virtually controlled by China — falsely declared that there was no evidence of [[human-to-human transmission]]." He also accused China that it "dumps millions and millions of tons of plastic and trash into the oceans, overfishes other countries' waters, destroys vast swaths of coral reef, and emits more toxic mercury into the atmosphere than any country anywhere in the world. [[Greenhouse gas emissions by China|China's carbon emissions]] are nearly twice what the U.S."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-75th-session-united-nations-general-assembly/ |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |title=Remarks by President Trump to the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |date=September 22, 2020 }}</ref>

In December 2020, the ''New York Times'' reported that China had paid bounties to [[Taliban]]-linked militants for killing U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump Was Briefed on Uncorroborated Intelligence About Chinese Bounties |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/us/politics/trump-chinese-bounties-briefing.html |website=The New York Times |date=December 30, 2020}}</ref>

On January 20, 2021, China imposed sanctions against outgoing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former secretary of health and human services [[Alex Azar]], former under secretary of state [[Keith J. Krach]], outgoing US ambassador to the United Nations [[Kelly Craft]], and 24 other former Trump officials.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/24/world/asia/china-taiwan-strait-exercise-biden.html|title=China Sends Warplanes to Taiwan Strait in a Show of Force to Biden|first=Austin|last=Ramzy|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 24, 2021}}</ref> Biden's National Security Council called the sanctions "unproductive and cynical".<ref name="PompeoSanctioned">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-sanctions-idUSKBN29Q09B |access-date= January 21, 2021 |website= Reuters|title=Biden administration calls China sanctions on Trump officials 'unproductive and cynical'|date= January 21, 2021 }}</ref> In his nomination hearing, Blinken endorsed Pompeo's report that China is committing a [[Uyghur genocide|genocide against Uyghur Muslims]], reaffirming Biden's campaign stance.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bernstein|first=Brittany|date=January 20, 2021|title=Incoming Secretary of State Backs Pompeo's Uyghur Genocide Designation|work=[[National Review]]|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/incoming-secretary-of-state-backs-pompeos-uyghur-genocide-designation/|access-date=}}</ref>

Trump's China [[Foreign policy of the Joe Biden administration|policies have been largely continued]] by the subsequent President, Joseph Biden.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Roach |first=Stephen S. |url= |title=Accidental Conflict: America, China, and the Clash of False Narratives |date=2022 |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |isbn=978-0-300-26901-7 |location=New Haven |doi=10.12987/9780300269017 |jstor=j.ctv2z0vv2v |oclc=1347023475 |author-link=Stephen S. Roach}}</ref>{{Rp|page=148}}

====Japan====
{{See also|Japan–United States relations}}
[[File:Trump and Abe at a press conference in Akasaka Palace.jpg|thumb|President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister [[Shinzo Abe|Shinzō Abe]], May 2019]]

[[File:Selfie of Shinzo Abe and Donald Trump.webp|thumb|Shinzō Abe taking a selfie with Donald Trump.]]
During the 2016 election campaign, Trump accused Japan of unfair trade practices, "taking our jobs", and of currency manipulation. He suggested Japan should pay the U.S. for its military presence in Japan, and at one point suggested that Japan should develop nuclear weapons to defend itself against North Korea.<ref name="Mullen">{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/02/08/news/economy/trump-japan-comments-abe/|title=He said what? A look back at Trump's Japan bashing|last=Mullen|first=Jethro|date=February 8, 2017|work=CNN Money|access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref>

Japanese Prime Minister [[Shinzo Abe|Shinzō Abe]] met with President-elect Trump at [[Trump Tower]] shortly after his election – the first foreign leader to do so. He said Trump was "a leader in whom I can have confidence". However, after the meeting Trump continued to complain about Japan's currency and its auto industry.<ref name = "Mullen" />

In January 2017, Trump formally renounced the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]], in which Japan would have been a key player, but left open the option of bilateral trade negotiations.<ref name = "Jackson" />

During a visit to Japan in January 2017, Defense Secretary Mattis reaffirmed that the U.S. was committed to the defense of Japan.<ref name = "Mullen"/>

Trump and Abe met at the White House in February 2017, followed by a Florida golf excursion. Trump promised to strengthen ties between the two nations and said the U.S. is committed to the security of Japan, saying that the alliance between the two countries is "the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Pacific region".<ref name="Jackson">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/10/donald-trump-shinzo-abe-japan/97736828/|title=Trump commits to security of Japan|last=Jackson|first=David|date=February 10, 2017|work=USA Today|access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref>

====North Korea====
{{See also|North Korea–United States relations#Trump administration (2017–2021)|2017–2018 North Korea crisis|2018–19 Korean peace process}}
{{multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Kim and Trump shaking hands at the red carpet during the DPRK–USA Singapore Summit.jpg
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = Trump and North Korean Leader [[Kim Jong Un]] at the [[2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit|first summit]] in [[Singapore]], June 2018
| image2            = President Trump's Trip to Vietnam (33352861498).jpg
| alt2              = 
| caption2          = Trump and North Korean Leader [[Kim Jong Un]] at the [[2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit|second summit]] in [[Hanoi]], February 2019
}}

During the campaign Trump said that he would be willing to meet [[Supreme Leader (North Korean title)|North Korean supreme leader]] [[Kim Jong Un]], whom he described as a "maniac" who also deserves credit for being able to overcome his rivals in order to succeed [[Kim Jong-il|his father]].<ref name="ReutersInterviewMay172015">{{cite news |first1=Steve |last1=Holland |first2=Emily |last2=Flitter |title=Exclusive: Trump would talk to North Korea's Kim, wants to renegotiate climate accord |work=[[Reuters]] |date=May 18, 2016 |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-exclusive-idUSKCN0Y82JO}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-primaries/265353-trump-kim-jong-un-deserves-credit-for-taking-out-rivals|title=Trump: Kim Jong Un deserves 'credit' for taking out rivals/|last=Richardson|first=Bradford|date=January 9, 2016|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> He indicated that he did not want to get involved in any conflict between North and [[South Korea]], an attitude which resulted in an editorial in the North Korean state media that hailed him as a "wise politician" and a "far-sighted presidential candidate" who could be good for North Korea.<ref name=":23">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36423319|title=North Korea editorial praises 'wise' Trump|work=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=June 1, 2016}}</ref> In the wake of the [[January 2016 North Korean nuclear test]] Trump advocated placing greater pressure on China to rein in its ally North Korea.<ref name="Jan6DPRK">{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/264908-trump-china-should-rein-in-north-korea|title=Trump: China has 'total control' over North Korea|date=January 6, 2016|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|first=Jesse|last=Byrnes}}</ref><ref name="MeetKim">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/17/politics/donald-trump-kim-jong-un-north-korea/index.html|title=Donald Trump would meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un|last=Kopan|first=Tal|publisher=CNN|date=May 17, 2016}}</ref> During the campaign and the early months of his presidency, he said he hoped that China would help to rein in North Korea's nuclear ambitions and missile tests.<ref name="over">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/04/17/524316419/pence-tells-north-korea-the-era-of-strategic-patience-is-over|title=Pence Tells North Korea: 'The Era Of Strategic Patience Is Over'|last=Kennedy|first=Merrit|date=April 17, 2017|work=NPR|access-date=April 19, 2017}}</ref>

Tensions increased in April 2017, when speaking before a visit from [[Paramount leader|Chinese leader]] [[Xi Jinping]], Trump said, "If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will."<ref name="BBC News 3 April 2017">{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39475178|title= Trump ready to 'solve' North Korea problem without China |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= April 3, 2017|website= [[BBC News Online]] |publisher= BBC | access-date= April 19, 2017 }}</ref> On April 8, 2017, the US Navy sent a strike group to the Western Pacific from Singapore, which led to the North Korean government warning of a possible war.<ref name="navy">{{cite news|url=https://www.navytimes.com/articles/carried-away-the-inside-story-of-how-the-carl-vinsons-canceled-port-visit-sparked-a-global-crisis|title=Carried away: The inside story of how the Carl Vinson's canceled port visit sparked a global crisis|last=Larter|first=David B.|date=April 23, 2017|work=Navy Times|access-date=April 24, 2017}}</ref> However, the strike group headed south for scheduled training exercises with the [[Royal Australian Navy|Australian navy]] but would go to the Korean peninsula the following week.<ref name="BBC News 19 April 2017">{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39645008|title= North Korea: Pentagon addresses confusion over strike group |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= April 19, 2017|website= [[BBC News Online]] |publisher= BBC | access-date= April 19, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Guardian 19 April 2017">{{cite news |last1= Gambino |first1= Lauren | last2= Borger |first2= Julian | last3= Weaver |first3= Matthew | title= White House all at sea over claims flotilla was heading to North Korea |url= https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/18/north-korea-us-aircraft-carrier-location-navy-donald-trump| date= April 19, 2017 |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |location=London| access-date= April 19, 2017 }}</ref> On April 16 [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Mike Pence]] visited South Korea, viewed [[Korean Demilitarized Zone|the Demilitarized Zone]] which separates North from South Korea, and similarly warned that the U.S. "era of strategic patience" toward North Korea's nuclear and missile programs is over.<ref name="over"/>

Two months later, on June 17, North Korea released American captive [[Otto Warmbier]]. Secretary of State [[Rex Tillerson]] said that the State Department had secured Warmbier's release at the direction of Trump, and they would seek the release of three other imprisoned Americans in North Korea.<ref>{{cite news|title=US university student medically evacuated in a coma as Dennis Rodman arrives in North Korea |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-releases-american-otto-warmbier-as-dennis-rodman-arrives-2017-6 |access-date=June 13, 2017 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=June 13, 2017 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613153159/http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-releases-american-otto-warmbier-as-dennis-rodman-arrives-2017-6 |archive-date=June 13, 2017 }}</ref>{{efn|The three detainees, all [[Korean Americans]] who had been working in North Korea prior to their arrests, were subsequently released in May 2018 prior to the [[2018 North Korea–United States summit#Release of the American detainees|first North Korea–United States summit]].<ref name="Goldman">{{cite news |last1=Goldman |first1=Russell |title=Who Are the 3 American Detainees Freed by North Korea? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/world/asia/north-korea-american-prisoners.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190403032030/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/world/asia/north-korea-american-prisoners.html |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 19, 2018 |access-date=March 17, 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref>}}<ref name=Warmbier>{{cite web|title=Otto Warmbier's father praises President Trump for bringing his son home from North Korea |url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/706149/otto-warmbiers-father-praises-president-trump-bringing-son-home-from-north-korea |website=The Week |date=June 15, 2017 |publisher=Peter Weber |access-date=June 16, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616041744/https://theweek.com/speedreads/706149/otto-warmbiers-father-praises-president-trump-bringing-son-home-from-north-korea |archive-date=June 16, 2017 }}</ref>

In [[2017 North Korean missile tests|July 2017, North Korea tested two long-range missiles]], identified by Western observers as [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]s potentially capable of reaching [[Alaska]], [[Hawaii]], and the [[contiguous United States]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/29/asia/north-korea-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-test/index.html|title=US slams North Korea missile test as Kim claims 'whole US mainland' in reach|last=Lendon|first=Brad|date=July 30, 2017|work=CNN|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Wright|first1=David|title=North Korean ICBM Appears Able to Reach Major US Cities|url=http://allthingsnuclear.org/dwright/new-north-korean-icbm|website=All Things Nuclear|publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists|access-date=July 28, 2017|date=July 28, 2017}}</ref> In August, Trump significantly escalated his rhetoric against North Korea, saying that further provocation against the U.S. will be met with "fire and fury like the world has never seen."<ref name="philly">{{cite news|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/trump-escalates-rhetoric-on-threat-from-north-korea-20170810.html|title=Trump escalates rhetoric on threat from North Korea|last1=Rucker|first1=Philip|last2=Deyoung|first2=Karen|date=August 10, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|publisher=Philly.com|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> According to ''New York Times'' correspondent [[Michael S. Schmidt]], Trump proposed using a nuclear weapon against North Korea and blaming the attack on another country, but was dissuaded by [[John F. Kelly]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Levin |first1=Bess |title=Report: Donald Trump Wanted to Nuke North Korea and Then Blame It on Another Country |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/01/donald-trump-wanted-to-nuke-north-korea-and-blame-someone-else |access-date=12 February 2023 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=12 January 2023}}</ref>

In March 2018, a South Korean delegation to the White House gave Trump a message from Kim, suggesting a meeting between Kim and Trump.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/08/politics/south-korea-north-korea-trump/index.html|title=US officials say North Korea invites Trump to meet|last=Diamond|first=Jeremy|date=March 8, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref> The South Koreans said Kim was willing to talk about his nuclear and missile programs. Trump immediately accepted the invitation to meet "at a place and time to be determined."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/08/politics/donald-trump-kim-jong-un/index.html|title=Trump accepts offer to meet Kim Jong Un|last1=Diamond|first1=Jeremy|last2=McKirdy|first2=Euan|date=March 9, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref>

Regarding the subsequent correspondence from Kim between April 2018 and August 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carlin |first=Robert L. |date=2021-08-13 |title=The Real Lessons of the Trump-Kim Love Letters |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/13/north-korea-trump-kim-jong-un-love-letters-diplomacy-nuclear-talks/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref> former national security adviser John Bolton believes the letters were written by someone in the "agitprop bureau" and not by Kim himself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moran |first=Lee |date=2023-06-05 |title=Ex-adviser Bursts Donald Trump's Bubble On 'Love Letters' From Kim Jong Un |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/john-bolton-donald-trump-north-korea_n_647d6c7de4b0a7554f455664 |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>

On May 10, it was announced that the meeting would take place on June 12 in Singapore.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44074257|title=Trump-Kim Jong-un summit set for Singapore on 12 June|date=May 10, 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref> As a gesture of good will, Kim freed three U.S. citizens being held in North Korean prisons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/05/09/north-korea-kim-jong-un-free-3-american-citizens/582094002/|title='God Bless America': Freed American prisoners thankful after being released from North Korea|last=Dorell|first=Oren|date=May 10, 2018|work=USA Today|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref> However, as the time neared, North Korean officials failed to meet with their American counterparts to plan the meeting.<ref name="cancels" /> On May 24, Trump called off the meeting, citing what he perceived as "tremendous anger and open hostility" in North Korea's most recent statement.<ref name="cancels">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-cancels-north-korea-summit/|title=President Trump cancels summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un|date=May 24, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref> A few days later planning for the meeting was resumed.

On June 12, 2018, after several rounds of preliminary staff-level meetings, [[2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit|Trump and Kim met at a hotel in Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump-Kim summit: Kim Jong Un gave unwavering commitment to denuclearisation, says Trump |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/north-korean-leader-kim-gave-unwavering-commitment-to-denuclearisation-trump |website=The Straits Times |access-date=June 13, 2018 |language=en |date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> They talked one-on-one with only interpreters present, then had a working lunch along with staff and advisors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/north-korea-summit-donald-trump-kim-jong-un-singapore-meet-one-on-one/|title=Trump and Kim Jong Un to kick off U.S.-North Korea summit with 1-on-1 meeting|date=June 11, 2018|work=CBS News|access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> They signed a joint statement agreeing to new peaceful relations, security guarantees for North Korea, reaffirmation of North Korea's promise to work toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, recovery of soldiers' remains, and follow-up negotiations between high-level officials.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/12/full-text-of-the-trump-kim-summit-agreement.html|title=Read the full text of the Trump-Kim agreement here|last=Rosenfeld|first=Everett|date=June 12, 2018|work=CNBC|access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> At a follow-up press conference, Trump announced that the U.S. will stop holding joint military exercises with South Korea, calling them "provocative".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/12/politics/trump-north-korea-military-exercises/index.html|title=Trump's pledge to stop 'provocative' military exercises provokes alarm and confusion in Seoul and Washington|date=June 12, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> Immediately after the summit, Trump declared, "there is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea."<ref name="auto4">{{cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David |title=Two Years After Trump-Kim Meeting, Little to Show for Personal Diplomacy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/world/asia/korea-nuclear-trump-kim.html |work=The New York Times |date=June 12, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Donald Trump went to North Korea.jpg|thumb|right|In June 2019, Trump stepped into North Korean territory, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so since the [[Korean War]]]]
A January 2019 American intelligence community assessment found that North Korea was unlikely to relinquish its nuclear arsenal, directly contradicting a core tenet of Trump's stated foreign policy.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/29/us/politics/intelligence-chiefs-senate-threats-.html|title=U.S. Intelligence Chiefs Contradict Trump on North Korea and Iran|first1=David E.|last1=Sanger|first2=Julian E.|last2=Barnes|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 29, 2019}}</ref>

In late February 2019, Trump met with Chairman Kim Jong-un at a [[2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit|summit]] in [[Hanoi]] for talks. On February 28, the White House announced that the summit was called off after negotiations with the North Koreans failed to reach an agreement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/28/white-house-trump-kim-meetings-change-of-schedule.html|title=Trump-Kim summit was cut short after North Korea demanded an end to all sanctions|last=Rosenfeld|first=Everett|date=February 28, 2019|publisher=CNBC|access-date=February 28, 2019}}</ref>

Following the [[2019 G20 Osaka summit]], Trump arranged for a [[2019 Koreas–United States DMZ Summit|meeting with Chairman Kim at the Korean Demilitarized Zone]] alongside South Korean President [[Moon Jae-in]]. The one-day [[2019 Koreas–United States DMZ Summit|trilateral summit]] at the DMZ was held on June 30, in which Trump became the first U.S. president to set foot on North Korean soil while in office.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-trump-travel-dmz-meet-kim-jong/story?id=64042883 "President Trump becomes 1st president to step inside North Korea ahead of meeting with Kim Jong Un"], ''ABC News'', June 20, 2019</ref> Trump and Kim also pledged to jump-start negotiations over North Korea's nuclear program after talks collapsed during the February 2019 Hanoi summit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MltgcggG4dk|title=Special Report: Trump meets North Korea's Kim Jong Un in the DMZ|date=June 30, 2019|via=YouTube}}</ref> Subsequent October 2019 talks in [[Stockholm]] quickly broke down in recriminations, with the DPRK accusing the United States of a "hostile policy".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/2348fb048cc34bc1a8265e0ce3033c6f|title=North Korea: No more talks until US ends 'hostile policy'|date=October 6, 2019|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> There were no further known talks between the nations during the Trump presidency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/12/07/north-korea-south-policy-biden-kim/|title=How to Buy Time on the Korean Peninsula After Trump's Theatrics|first=John|last=Delury|date=December 7, 2020 }}</ref> By 2020, North Korea's nuclear arsenal had reportedly increased to levels far larger than it was prior to the 2018 Singapore summit.<ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Richard |title=North Korea's work on nuclear weapons includes 'miniaturized' devices, UN report says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/04/asia/un-north-korea-nukes-report-intl/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=August 4, 2020}}</ref>

====South Korea====
[[File:President Trump in South Korea (48170578767).jpg|thumb|Trump and South Korean President [[Moon Jae-in]], June 2019]]
{{See also|South Korea–United States relations}}
Trump and Moon met at the White House in June 2017 to discuss [[United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement|trade relations]] and [[2017 North Korean missile tests|North Korean missile programs]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/30/watch-trump-south-koreas-moon-speak-about-north-korea-trade.html |title=Trump, South Korea's Moon speak about North Korea |last1=Pramuk |first1=Jacob |last2=Wang |first2=Christina |website=[[CNBC]] |date=June 30, 2017|access-date=August 10, 2017}}</ref>

===South Asia===
====Afghanistan====
{{See also|Afghanistan–United States relations|War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021)}}
[[File:President Trump Spends Thanksgiving with Troops in Afghanistan (49158951233).jpg|thumb|Trump and Afghan President [[Ashraf Ghani]] in November 2019]]
[[File:Secretary Pompeo Meets With the Taliban Delegation (50333305012).jpg|thumb|U.S. Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] meeting with Taliban delegation in [[Doha]], [[Qatar]], in September 2020]]
On August 21, 2017, Trump stated that he wanted to expand the American presence in Afghanistan, without giving details on how.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/21/politics/trump-afghanistan-pakistan-india/index.html 'Trump calls out Pakistan, India as he pledges to 'fight to win' in Afghanistan]. ''cnn.com,'' August 24, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.</ref> Trump did not formulate any deadlines or specific purposes to be met, only stating that a U.S. withdrawal was no option now because it would play into the hands of terrorists and put at risk the safety of the U.S. and its allies.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://digitaleeditie.nrc.nl/digitaleeditie/NH/2017/7/20170822___/1_02/index.html 'Trump: terugtrekking uit Afghanistan is geen optie' ('withdrawal from Afghanistan is no option')]. ''[[NRC Handelsblad]] '', August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.</ref> Trump said that presently 20 U.S.-designated terrorist organizations are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, according to [[Barkha Dutt]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'', this statement contradicted the official U.S. government list, which only lists 13 such organizations there.<ref name=TWP24Aug>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2017/08/24/trump-gets-it-right-on-afghanistan-and-pakistan/ 'Trump gets it right on Afghanistan and Pakistan']. ''[[The Washington Post]] '', August 24, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.</ref> [[Taliban]] spokesman [[Zabiullah Mujahid]] condemned Trump's speech: "It looks like America does not want to put an end to its longest war and instead of realizing the realities, is still arrogant on its might and force".<ref name=TWP24Aug/>

On September 19, 2017, the Trump administration deployed another 3,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. This added to the approximately 11,000 U.S. troops already serving in Afghanistan, bringing the total to at least 14,000 U.S. troops stationed in the country.<ref>{{in lang|nl}}[https://www.vox.com/world/2017/9/19/16227730/trump-afghanistan-3000-troops-mattis Trump is sending more than 3,000 troops to Afghanistan], Vox,  September 19, 2017</ref>

On February 5, 2019, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to rebuke Trump for his decisions to [[American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war|withdraw troops from Syria]] and Afghanistan. Drafted by majority leader [[Mitch McConnell]], the measure was supported by nearly all Republicans.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/us/politics/senate-vote-syria-afghanistan.html|title=Senate Rebukes Trump Over Troop Withdrawals From Syria and Afghanistan|first=Catie|last=Edmondson|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 31, 2019}}</ref>

On February 29, 2020, the Trump administration signed the [[Doha Agreement (2020)|Doha Agreement]], a conditional peace agreement with the Taliban,<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S.-Taliban Deal: India should Chalk-out a New Strategy|url=https://opedcolumn.news.blog/2020/03/21/us-taliban-deal-india-should-chalk-out-a-new-strategy/|last=Rai|first=Manish|website=OpedColumn.News.Blog|date=March 21, 2020}}</ref> which calls for the [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021)|withdrawal of foreign troops]] in 14 months if the Taliban uphold the terms of the agreement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghanistan-us-taliban-peace-deal-signing/2020/02/29/b952fb04-5a67-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html |title=U.S. signs peace deal with Taliban agreeing to full withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan |last=George |first=Susannah |date=February 29, 2020 |website=WashingtonPost.com}}</ref> Trump said "it is time" to bring U.S. soldiers home from Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump says 'it is time' for US troops to exit Afghanistan, undermining agreement with Taliban |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-time-us-troops-exit-afghanistan-undermining-agreement/story?id=70908619 |work=ABC News |date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> Trump's successor, [[Joe Biden]], later extended the deadline for the withdrawal to September 11, 2021, leading Trump to comment in April 2021 that "we can and should get out earlier", that "we should keep as close" to the May 1, 2021, deadline Trump had set, and that the withdrawal was "a wonderful and positive thing to do".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoffman |first1=Jason |last2=Cole |first2=Devan |title=Trump calls Afghanistan withdrawal 'a wonderful and positive thing to do' and criticizes Biden's timeline |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/18/politics/trump-afghanistan-troop-withdrawal/index.html |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=[[CNN]] |date=April 19, 2021}}</ref>

As part of the February 2020 deal, the U.S. agreed to the release of 5,000 Taliban members who were imprisoned by the Afghan government; some of these ex-prisoners went on to join the [[2021 Taliban offensive]] that felled the Afghan government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mashal |first1=Mujib |last2=Faizi |first2=Fatima |title=Afghanistan to Release Last Taliban Prisoners, Removing Final Hurdle to Talks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/09/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-prisoners-peace-talks.html |access-date=August 18, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Weissert |first1=Will |last2=Fram |first2=Alan |title=GOP hits Biden despite divides over Afghanistan withdrawal |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-afghanistan-036874ebcb40acb404ac1a7f3db11f1a |access-date=August 18, 2021 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=August 17, 2021}}</ref>

====India====
{{See also|India–United States relations}}{{expand section|date=September 2021}}[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the President of United States of America (USA), Mr. Donald Trump, at White House, in Washington DC, USA on June 26, 2017 (2).jpg|thumb|President Trump and Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], June 2017]]
During the campaign Trump spoke favorably of Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and expressed a desire for a closer alliance with India.<ref>{{cite web|author=Max Bearak|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/10/15/at-hindu-american-rally-trump-pitches-india-and-u-s-as-best-friends/|title=At Hindu-American rally, Trump pitches India and U.S. as 'best friends'|newspaper=Washington Post|date=October 15, 2016}}</ref> He told a campaign rally of [[Indian Americans|Indian-Americans]] that under his administration, relations with India would be "the best ever".<ref name = "best">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/trumps-extensive-deals-in-india-raise-conflict-of-interest-concerns/2016/11/21/3313319e-3f04-44fa-a28a-c297d891465c_story.html|title=Trump's extensive deals in India raise conflict-of-interest concerns|last=Gowen|first=Annie|date=November 21, 2016|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=December 18, 2016}}</ref> Trump and Modi met at the White House in June 2017, reaffirming the strong partnership between the two nations, especially in defense, maritime security and counterterrorism.<ref>{{cite news |title= Three Key Takeaways From Modi And Trump's First Meeting |work=[[Forbes]] |first=Ronak D. |last=Desai |date=July 6, 2017 }}</ref>

He cited the relations as one of the most important in this century as he made a [[Namaste Trump|grand visit in February 2020]] right before the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/bjp-sees-conspiracy-in-delhi-riots-erupting-during-trump-trip-want-timing-investigated/370876/|title=BJP sees 'conspiracy' in Delhi riots erupting during Trump trip, wants timing investigated|date=February 25, 2020}}</ref>

====Pakistan====
{{See also|Pakistan–United States relations}}
During the campaign, Trump said Pakistan is "the most dangerous country in the world" and should denuclearize.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Pakistan-is-a-very-very-vital-problem-Donald-Trump/articleshow/51610456.cms|title=Pakistan is a 'very, very vital problem': Donald Trump|date=March 30, 2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=December 18, 2016}}</ref> But according to the Pakistan government, in a cordial post-election telephone conversation with Pakistan's Prime Minister [[Nawaz Sharif]], Trump lavished praise on Pakistan and its "fantastic" people, said he would love to visit the country, and offered to help Pakistan solve any outstanding problems.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pakistan-trump-20161201-story.html|title=In phone call with leader, Trump lavishes praise on Pakistan, 'fantastic place of fantastic people'|date=December 1, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=December 18, 2016}}</ref>

After taking office, Trump indicated that Pakistan will be among the countries whose citizens will have to go through an "[[Executive Order 13769|extreme vetting]]" process before entering the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1311028/pakistani-afghan-visa-applicants-to-face-extreme-vetting-trump|title=Pakistani, Afghan visa applicants to face extreme vetting: Trump|date=January 27, 2017}}</ref> On July 2, 2019, [[United States Department of State|State Department]] designated [[Balochistan Liberation Army|Baloch Liberation Army]] (BLA), a separatist militant group that aims to separate [[Balochistan]] from Pakistan, as a terrorist organization.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designations-of-balochistan-liberation-army-and-husain-ali-hazzima-and-amendments-to-the-terrorist-designations-of-jundallah/|title=Terrorist Designations of Balochistan Liberation Army and Husain Ali Hazzima and Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of Jundallah|date=July 2, 2019|access-date=July 3, 2019|work=[[United States Department of State|State Department]]}}</ref>

===Southeast Asia===
====Philippines====
{{Main|Philippines–United States relations}}
{{see also|Moro conflict|Moro Rebellion|East Asian foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration|Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines}}
[[File:Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte in Manila.jpg|thumb|Filipino President [[Rodrigo Duterte]] with Trump in Manila, November 2017]]
U.S.-Philippines relations had taken a turn for the worse with the election of Philippines President [[Rodrigo Duterte]] in June 2016. Duterte expressed strong hostility toward then-President Obama and threatened to sever the long-standing ties between the two countries due to the latter's criticism on the issue of human rights in Duterte's policy on the [[Philippine drug war|War on Drugs]]. On December 2, 2016, President-elect Trump accepted a congratulatory call from Duterte. A statement from the Trump team said the two leaders "noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that the two governments would continue to work together closely on matters of shared interest and concern". Duterte claimed afterward that Trump had praised Duterte's controversial "war on drugs", which had killed thousands of people without trial, and that Trump said the Philippines are "doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/03/philippines-rodrigo-duterte-donald-trump-white-house-invite|title=Philippines' deadly drug war praised by Donald Trump, says Rodrigo Duterte|date=December 2, 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=March 21, 2017}}</ref>

==Europe==

===Eastern Mediterranean===
In 2019, [[Greece–United States relations|Greece and the United States]] signed a revised [[defense pact]], which American officials described as critical to responding to security challenges in the [[Eastern Mediterranean]] Sea. The deal provides for increasing joint U.S.-Greece and NATO activity at [[Larissa]], [[Stefanovikeio|Stefanovikio]], and [[Alexandroupoli]] as well as infrastructure and other improvements at the [[Crete Naval Base]].<ref>{{cite web |title=US, Greece Sign Revised Defense Cooperation Agreement|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2019-10-05/us-greece-sign-revised-defense-cooperation-agreement |publisher=US News |access-date=November 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Greece, US hail strategic relationship after signing defence deal|url=http://www.thenewathenian.com/2019/11/greece-us-hail-strategic-relationship.html |publisher=The New Athenian|access-date=November 4, 2019}}</ref>

===France===
{{See also|France–United States relations}}

[[File:President Donald J. Trump and President Emmanuel Macron of France (45101575684).jpg|thumb|President Trump and French President [[Emmanuel Macron]], November 2018]]
In their first telephone call, President Trump told French President [[François Hollande]] that he "loved France" and that there was "no more beautiful country than France".<ref name="leparisienparisnestplus">{{cite news|title="Paris n'est plus Paris" : Donald Trump critique la France, François Hollande lui répond|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/international/hollande-deconseille-a-trump-de-marquer-la-moindre-defiance-a-l-egard-d-un-pays-ami-25-02-2017-6710769.php|access-date=February 26, 2017|work=Le Parisien|date=February 25, 2017}}</ref> However, in his 2017 [[Conservative Political Action Conference|CPAC]] speech, Trump said, "France is no longer France" due to terrorism.<ref name="leparisienparisnestplus"/><ref name="nytimesfrancespresidentcriticizestrump">{{cite news|last1=Rubin|first1=Alissa J.|title=France's President Criticizes Trump Over Paris Remarks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/25/world/europe/frances-president-criticizes-trump-over-paris-remarks.html|access-date=February 26, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=February 25, 2017}}</ref> In response, President Hollande said allies should not criticize each other,<ref name="nytimesfrancespresidentcriticizestrump"/> and he invited him to visit [[Disneyland Paris]].<ref name="leparisienparisnestplus"/>

In advance of the [[2017 French presidential election]] Trump was reported to have expressed support for [[Marine Le Pen]], calling her the "strongest candidate", although he did not explicitly endorse her.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/21/donald-trump-marine-le-pen-french-presidential-election|title=Donald Trump: Marine Le Pen is 'strongest candidate' in French election|last=Jacobs|first=Ben|date=April 21, 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref> However, when meeting with newly elected French president [[Emmanuel Macron]] in Brussels in May 2017 he said to Macron "you were my guy", stating that media reports had been wrong.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-macron-campaign-idUSKBN18L2IY|title='You were my guy,' Trump told Macron, French official says|date=May 25, 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=June 28, 2017}}</ref>

Trump honored the invitation of French president Emmanuel Macron to attend the annual [[Bastille Day military parade|Bastille Day Military Parade]] on July 14, 2017, in Paris.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/28/trump-accepts-macrons-outstretched-hand-visit-france-bastille/|title=Trump accepts Macron's outstretched hand to visit France for Bastille Day celebrations |last=Nianias|first=Helen|date=June 28, 2017|work=The Telegraph|access-date=June 28, 2017}}</ref>

===Germany===
{{See also|Germany–United States relations}}
[[File:President Trump's Trip to Germany and the G20 Summit (35650347521).jpg|thumb|President Trump and German Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]], July 2017]]
American relations with Germany have worsened under President Donald Trump, especially regarding trade and NATO.<ref>Eric Langenbacher, and Ruth Wittlinger, "The End of Memory? German-American Relations under Donald Trump." ''German Politics'' 27.2 (2018): 174–192.</ref> During the campaign Trump was critical of German chancellor [[Angela Merkel]] and her handling of the [[European migrant crisis]], saying "Everyone thought she was a really great leader and now she's turned out to be this catastrophic leader. And she'll be out if they don't have a revolution."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/siriusxm-news-issues/donald-trump-we-cant-have-an-immigration-policy-like-angela-merkel-does-in-germany|title=Donald Trump – We can't have an immigration policy like Angela Merkel does in Germany|website=SoundCloud|access-date=June 2, 2016}}</ref> In July 2016, German Foreign Minister [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] stated that he was concerned about what he sees as Trump's contradictory promises to "make America strong again" while simultaneously reducing involvement overseas.<ref name="ShalalSteinmeier">{{cite news|author=Andrea Shalal|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-germany-trump-idUSKCN0ZZ2YY|title=INTERVIEW-Trump's 'politics of fear' dangerous for U.S., world-German foreign minister|work=Reuters|date=July 20, 2016}}</ref> Steinmeier said that Trump's proposed policies "would be dangerous not only for the United States, but for Europe and the rest of the world as well".<ref name="ShalalSteinmeier" />

After becoming president, Trump met with Merkel at the White House on March 17, 2017. The meeting was described as "awkward"; Trump failed to shake hands with Merkel for a photo op, and he made a joke [[Trump Tower wiretapping allegations|about wiretapping]] which fell flat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/03/17/angela-merkel-donald-trump-handshake/99310398/|title=Awkward: Merkel asks for a handshake, Trump doesn't respond|last=Estepa|first=Jessica|date=March 17, 2017|work=USA Today|access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/18/angela-merkel-looks-bemused-by-donald-trumps-wiretapping-joke|title=Angela Merkel looks bemused by Donald Trump's wiretapping joke|date=March 17, 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref> The two "politely disagreed on everything from immigration to free trade and the value of seeking multinational agreements."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2017/03/german-lessons|title=Angela Merkel and her press corps show how big democracies are supposed to operate|date=March 18, 2017|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref> The next day Trump tweeted, "Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!"<ref name=NATOCash/><ref>[[www.telegraph.co.uk]] March 18, 2017: [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/18/donald-trump-says-germany-owes-vast-sums-money-nato-us/ ''Donald Trump says Germany owes 'vast sums of money' to Nato and the US'']</ref> He also tried to get Merkel to talk about bilateral trade issues, but she pointed out that EU members only negotiate as a unit.<ref name = "Gilchrist" />

In May 2017, at a meeting with European leaders in Brussels, Trump denounced Germany concerning the trade deficit as "bad, very bad", adding "Look at the millions of cars they sell in the US. Terrible. We will stop this." He threatened to impose a 35% tax on German car imports.<ref name="Gilchrist">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/26/trump-calls-germans-very-bad-threatens-to-end-german-car-sales-reports.html|title=Trump reportedly calls Germans 'very bad,' threatens to end German car sales|last=Gilchrist|first=Karen|date=May 26, 2017|work=CNBC|access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> A few days later Merkel suggested that Germany and Europe can no longer fully rely on the United States; and saying "we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands", also hinting to the [[Brexit|decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union]]. However she underlined the importance of friendly relations with the United States, the United Kingdom as well as Russia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/angela-merkel-donald-trump-germany-us-no-longer-rely-european-union-climate-change-g7-a7760486.html|title=Angela Merkel says Germany can no longer rely on Donald Trump's America|last=Osborne|first=Samuel|date=May 28, 2017|work=The Independent|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref>

In late July 2020, the Trump administration announced its intentions to disperse 12,000 American troops from Germany and move the headquarters of [[United States European Command|U.S. European Command]] (EUCOM) from Germany to [[Belgium]] in a major repositioning of forces, reportedly because Germany was not spending enough on its defense budget. Of the U.S. troops stationed in Germany, 6,400 will also return to the United States. Another 5,400 will be moved to other locations in Europe that already house American troops but pay less of a percentage of its GDP than that of Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-withdraw-12000-troops-germany/story?id=72051446|title=US to withdraw 12,000 troops from Germany|website=ABC News}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.army-technology.com/features/trump-and-dod-clash-over-us-troop-withdrawal-from-germany/|title=Trump and DoD clash over US troop withdrawal from Germany|website=www.army-technology.com|date=July 31, 2020 }}</ref>

===Holy See===
[[File:Donald Trump Pope Francis Melania Trump in 2017.jpg|right|thumb|Trump and First Lady [[Melania Trump]] meet [[Pope Francis]] in [[Vatican City]], May 2017]]
{{See also|Holy See–United States relations}}
On May 24, 2017, [[Pope Francis]] met with Trump in [[Vatican City]] where they discussed the contributions of [[Catholic Church in the United States|Catholics]] to the United States and to the world. Trump and the Pope discussed issues of mutual concern including how religious communities can combat human suffering in crisis regions, such as [[Iraq]], [[Syria]], [[Libya]], and [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]]-controlled territory. Trump and Pope Francis also discussed [[terrorism]] and the radicalization of young people.

The [[Cardinal Secretary of State|Vatican's secretary of state]], [[Pietro Parolin]], raised the issue of [[climate change]] in the meeting and encouraged Trump to remain in the [[Paris Agreement]].<ref>{{cite news |date=May 24, 2017 |title=Trump: Meeting Pope Francis 'the honor of a lifetime' |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/24/trump-meeting-pope-francis-honor-lifetime.html |work=FOX News |location=New York |access-date=May 26, 2017}}</ref>

===Hungary===
[[File:President Trump & the First Lady's Trip to Europe (29478570128).jpg|thumb|Trump (Left) and Orbán (Right) at a [[NATO]] Meeting with other World Leaders]]
{{Main|Hungary–United States relations}}
The Trump administration's approach towards [[Viktor Orbán]]'s "illiberal"<ref>The term "illiberal" has been used by Orbán on multiple occasions to describe his socio-political ideology.</ref> right-wing [[Fidesz]] [[Government of Hungary|government]] had been supportive, but, according to ''[[The Guardian]]'', "ineffective" in advancing American interests.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/06/trumps-european-diplomats-tied-in-knots-over-rise-of-populism |title=Trump's European diplomats tied in knots over rise of populism |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=December 6, 2018 |work=The Guardian |access-date=December 6, 2018 |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

===Italy===
[[File:Donald Trump with Giuseppe Conte at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, in Charlevoix, Canada - 2018.jpg|thumb|right|Trump with Prime Minister [[Giuseppe Conte]] in June 2018]]
{{See also|Italy–United States relations|Holy See–United States relations}}

Italy was the first [[Europe]]an country to be visited by Trump. He went to Italy in May 2017, during his first presidential trip outside the [[United States|U.S.]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-italy-arrival-idUSKBN18J2GI|title=Trump arrives in Italy to meet Pope Francis, Italian leaders|newspaper=Reuters |date=May 23, 2017|access-date=January 6, 2019|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref> During his trip to Italy, Trump held a bilateral meeting with [[Pope Francis]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/05/23/outspoken-pope-francis-and-president-trump-meet-first-time/102019470/|title=Outspoken Pope Francis and President Trump to meet for first time|website=USA TODAY|access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref> and met Italian President [[Sergio Mattarella]] and Prime Minister [[Paolo Gentiloni]]. Gentiloni was also hosted by Trump at the [[White House]] in April 2017, a few weeks before Trump took part in the [[43rd G7 summit]] held in Italy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/20/remarks-president-trump-and-prime-minister-gentiloni-italy-joint-press |title=Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Gentiloni of Italy in Joint Press Conference |access-date=May 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523072922/https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/20/remarks-president-trump-and-prime-minister-gentiloni-italy-joint-press |archive-date=May 23, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Trump often stated that Italy is a "key ally of America in [[Europe]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and a strategic partner in the [[War on terror|War on Terrorism]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tg24.sky.it/mondo/2017/04/21/trump-gentiloni-incontro-casa-bianca-washington.html|title=Washington, Trump incontra Gentiloni: "Italia alleato chiave" – Sky TG24|website=tg24.sky.it|date=April 21, 2017 |access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref>

In June 2018, Gentiloni was replaced by [[Giuseppe Conte]], a populist politician, who built a close relationship with Trump. Since the beginning of Conte's government, Trump considered him a key ally during international meetings,<ref>[https://www.thelocal.it/20180615/trump-praises-conte-as-very-strong-on-immigration Trump praises Conte as 'very strong' on immigration], ''The Local''</ref> and Conte offered to be a "privileged interlocutor" in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Trump-Boris Johnson relationship is set to get a key test at G-7 meeting |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-boris-johnson-relationship-set-get-key-test-g-7-n1045826 |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> On June 8 and 9, during [[44th G7 summit|G7 summit]], Conte was the only leader to back Trump and his proposal to readmit Russia into the G7.<ref>{{cite news|work=Reuters|date=June 8, 2018|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/g7-summit-italy-russia/italys-new-pm-backs-trump-on-re-admitting-russia-into-the-g7-idUSR1N1SZ002|title=Italy's new PM backs Trump on re-admitting Russia into the G7|access-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331004627/https://www.reuters.com/article/g7-summit-italy-russia/italys-new-pm-backs-trump-on-re-admitting-russia-into-the-g7-idUSR1N1SZ002|archive-date=March 31, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On the following day, Conte was thanked for his positions on Russia and his populist stance by Trump, who invited him to the [[White House]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/09/trump-italy-prime-minister-white-house-giuseppe-conte-635009|title=Trump: Italy's populist prime minister to visit White House|author=Brent D. Griffiths|website=[[Politico]]|date=June 9, 2018|access-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330233237/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/09/trump-italy-prime-minister-white-house-giuseppe-conte-635009|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 28, Conte participated in his first [[European Council]] meeting and blocked a joint EU trade and defense statement criticizing Trump's tariff policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-summit-conte-idUSKBN1JO2UF|title=Italy blocks joint text on trade, defense at EU summit|date=June 28, 2018|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330233208/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-summit-conte-idUSKBN1JO2UF|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2018, Trump praised Conte, describing him as a "really great leader" and "very strong on immigration".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://video.corriere.it/trump-il-primo-ministro-italiano-conte-fantastico-severo-sull-immigrazione-questo-momento-paga/d065ab42-70a9-11e8-8f08-e72858c58491|title=Trump: "Il primo ministro italiano Conte è fantastico. È severo sull'immigrazione e in questo momento paga"|date=June 15, 2018|access-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330233402/https://video.corriere.it/trump-il-primo-ministro-italiano-conte-fantastico-severo-sull-immigrazione-questo-momento-paga/d065ab42-70a9-11e8-8f08-e72858c58491|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump also endorsed Conte during the [[2019 Italian government crisis|2019 government crisis]], hoping that he could remain Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.agi.it/politica/trump_endorsement_conte-6090415/news/2019-08-27/|title=L'endorsement di Trump per il Conte-bis|website=Agi|access-date=August 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830123932/https://www.agi.it/politica/trump_endorsement_conte-6090415/news/2019-08-27/|archive-date=August 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 31, 2020,  Trump announced that the [[United States]] would send 100 million dollars of medical aids to Italy, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which was affecting the country.<ref>[https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2020/03/31/coronavirus-trump-annuncia-100-milioni-di-dollari-di-aiuti-allitalia-giuseppi-era-molto-contento-poi-mostra-macchina-per-test-rapido/5754858/ Trump annuncia: "Aiuti sanitari all'Italia per 100 milioni di dollari", compresi kit per i test veloci], ''Huffington Post''</ref> After few days, during an interview at the [[NBC]], Conte described Trump as "Italy's most true and loyal friend".<ref>[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/italian-prime-minister-thanks-trump-for-being-countrys-true-and-loyal-friend-through-pandemic Italian prime minister thanks Trump for being country's 'true and loyal friend' through pandemic], ''Washington Examiner''</ref> On April 11, Trump issued an [[executive order]] in which he allowed U.S. militaries deployed in Italy to assist [[Law enforcement in Italy|Italian law enforcement]] in facing the crisis.<ref>[https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2020/04/11/news/l_ordine_esecutivo_di_trump_per_l_italia_contro_il_coronavirus_mobilitiamo_anche_i_nosri_30_mila_soldati_-253733750/ 'ordine esecutivo di Trump: "Per l'Italia contro il coronavirus mobilitiamo anche i nostri 30 mila soldati"], ''la Repubblica''</ref>

===Kosovo–Serbia conflict===
{{See also|Kosovo–Serbia relations|Kosovo–United States relations|Serbia–United States relations}}
On October 4, 2019, Trump appointed [[Richard Grenell]] as Special Presidential Envoy for [[Belgrade–Pristina negotiations|Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bayer |first=Lili |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-names-ric-grenell-his-special-envoy-for-serbia-and-kosovo/ |title=Trump names Ric Grenell his special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo – POLITICO |date=October 4, 2019 |publisher=Politico.eu |access-date=September 4, 2020}}</ref> After months of diplomatic talks, facilitated by Grenell, on January 20, 2020, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to restore flights between their capitals for the first time in more than two decades.<ref name=flight1>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/20/world/europe/serbia-kosovo-flights-resume.html|title=Serbia-Kosovo Flights to Resume Under U.S.-Brokered Deal|date=January 20, 2020|work=The New York Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name=flight2>{{cite news|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/01/21/kosovo-serbia-flights-to-restart-after-two-decades-thecube|title=Kosovo-Serbia flights to restart after two decades|date=January 25, 2020|publisher=Euronews|language=en}}</ref> The Trump administration initiated diplomatic negotiations that resulted in the [[Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements (2020)|2020 Kosovo and Serbia agreement]] on the [[International relations|normalisation]] of economic relations, which was signed by [[Aleksandar Vučić]], [[President of Serbia]], and [[Avdullah Hoti]], [[Prime Minister of Kosovo]], at the White House, in the presence of Donald Trump on September 4, 2020.<ref name="Riechmann"/> The deal will encompass freer transit, including by rail and road, while both parties agreed to work with the [[Export–Import Bank of the United States]] and the [[U.S. International Development Finance Corporation]] and to join the [[Mini-Schengen area|Mini Schengen Zone]], but the agreement also included the relocation of the Serbian embassy to Jerusalem, as well as, and mutual recognition [[Israel–Kosovo relations|between Israel and Kosovo]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2020/09/04/documents-signed-at-the-white-house-cover-wider-scope-than-expected/|title= Documents signed at the White House cover wider scope than expected|date=September 4, 2020|work=[[European Western Balkans]]|access-date=September 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-kosovo-serbia-agreement/2020/09/04/b1283f8c-eec0-11ea-99a1-71343d03bc29_story.html|title=Serbia and Kosovo sign breakthrough economic accord that is short of normal relations|last1=Gearan|first1=Anne |date=September 4, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 4, 2020}}</ref>

===Poland===
{{See also|Poland–United States relations}}
[[File:US President Donald Trump in Warsaw in Poland Warsaw Uprising Monument.jpg|thumb|180px|US President Donald Trump in Warsaw, Poland during a speech at the monument to the [[Warsaw Uprising]] of 1944.]]
During the Trump administration, [[Poland]] and the United States continued to exhibit warm military, diplomatic, and economic bilateral relations. This was bolstered by the broadly shared [[Neo-nationalism|neo-nationalist]] values between President Donald Trump and President of Poland [[Andrzej Duda]], along with Poland's desire for strengthened military ties with the United States in order to counter [[Russia]]n influence in Europe, particularly following the 2014 [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russian annexation of Crimea]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://intpolicydigest.org/2018/10/05/u-s-poland-relations-in-the-age-of-trump/|title=U.S.-Poland Relations in the Age of Trump|date=October 5, 2018|access-date=June 13, 2019|work=International Policy Digest|archive-date=February 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217165442/https://intpolicydigest.org/u-s-poland-relations-in-the-age-of-trump/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July 2017, in his second foreign trip, President Donald Trump visited Poland where he met with the President Andrzej Duda.<ref name="PL">{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2017/07/06/president-trump-poland|title=President Trump in Poland|date=May 6, 2016|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref><ref name="foxnews.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/06/trump-speaks-in-poland-live-blog.html|title=Trump speaks in Poland – live blog|date=July 6, 2017|publisher=Fox News|access-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref> He also said: "Our strong alliance with [[Poland]] and [[NATO]] remains critical to deterring conflict and ensuring that war between great powers never again ravages [[Europe]], and that the world will be a safer and better place. America is committed to maintaining peace and security in [[Central and Eastern Europe]]".<ref name="PL"/> 
Trump says the U.S. stands firmly behind [[Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty|NATO's Article 5]], which says an attack against one member is attack against all.<ref name="foxnews.com"/>

Trump described [[Poland]] as a long-time U.S. ally that is "an example for others who seek freedom and who wish to summon the courage and the will to defend our civilization."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-europe-trip-poland-warsaw-visit/28597961.html|title=In Warsaw, Trump Reaffirms Article 5 Commitment, Criticizes Russia's 'Destabilizing Behavior' |date=July 6, 2017|publisher=Radio Free Europe|access-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref> He also attended in the [[Three Seas Initiative]] summit 2017 in Warsaw. [[Left Together|Razem]], a Polish left-wing political party, organized a protest against Trump. Protesters were dressed as handmaids from [[Margaret Atwood]]'s dystopian novel ''[[The Handmaid's Tale]]'', as a symbol of [[women's rights]] being endangered both in [[Women's rights in Poland|Poland]] and the [[Women's rights in the United States|United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/handmaid-protest-trump-poland-warsaw-1018982|title=Handmaid-Costumed Activists Protest Trump's Visit to Poland
|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=July 6, 2017
|language=en |access-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-went-to-poland-and-was-met-by-women-dressed-as-handmaids_us_595e3c89e4b0d5b458e874d8|title=Trump Went To Poland And Was Met By Women Dressed As Handmaids |work=[[HuffPost]]|language=en |access-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2017/07/06/handmaids-tale-protests-donald-trump-poland/|title=Women dressed as "handmaids" protest Trump during his Poland visit
 |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|language=en |access-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wysokieobcasy.pl/wysokie-obcasy/7,115167,22044426,polski-rzad-powita-trumpa-z-otwartymi-ramionami-my-nie-dolacz.html|title="Donaldzie Trumpie – nie witamy w Polsce!". Szyją stroje podręcznych na przyjazd prezydenta |newspaper=[[Gazeta Wyborcza]]|language=pl |access-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Spotkanie z wiceprezydentem USA Michaelem Pence'em (48664497543).jpg|thumb|Vice President [[Mike Pence]] and Polish Prime Minister [[Mateusz Morawiecki]] signed joitn declaration on 5G, 2019]]

In June 2019, during a trip to the United States to celebrate the 20th anniversary of [[Enlargement of NATO|Poland's membership in NATO]] and the 30th anniversary of [[History of Poland (1989–present)|communism's downfall in the country]], Duda visited the [[White House]] where he and Trump signed a joint defense agreement to increase military cooperation. According to the agreement, which Trump called a "statement" on the relationship between the two countries, Poland will pay for an additional 1,000 U.S. troops to be stationed in Poland on a rotational basis. The force will be apportioned from the 52,000-strong contingent of U.S. forces in Germany and will include special operations troops, drones and other military hardware. In a separate deal, Poland ordered 32 [[F-35]] fighter jets from the U.S. Trump celebrated the agreement with two F-35 jets conducting [[Flypast|flyby]]s over the White House in a rare U.S. military display.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/12/politics/donald-trump-andrzej-duda-poland-f-35-deal/index.html|work=CNN|title=Trump and Polish President sign new defense agreement|date=June 12, 2019|access-date=June 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48585045|title=Trump: US to send 1,000 troops to Poland in new deal|date=June 12, 2019|access-date=June 13, 2019|work=BBC}}</ref>

On that day, Polish state-owned natural gas company [[PGNiG]] signed an agreement with U.S. company Venture Global LNG to buy 1.5 million metric tons of [[liquefied natural gas]] per year as part of an initiative to seek alternative supplies of gas other than Russia's [[Gazprom]]. The deal is seen as part of the Trump administration's "energy dominance" economic policy, in which the U.S. slashes domestic regulations on energy production to boost oil and gas exports to allies and trade partners, such as Poland, serving as an alternative to Russian gas pipelines.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-poland-lng/polands-pgnig-to-buy-more-lng-from-us-company-venture-global-idUSL2N23J0MZ|title=Poland's PGNiG to buy more LNG from U.S. company Venture Global|date=June 12, 2019|access-date=June 13, 2019|work=Reuters}}</ref>

On June 24, 2020, Trump said at a press conference with Polish President Duda that the United States plans to move some [[List of United States Army installations in Germany|U.S. troops from Germany]] to Poland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Poland's Duda promises 'stronger alliance' with Donald Trump during U.S. visit |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/06/24/polish-president-duda-meets-donald-trump-for-pre-election-boost |work=[[Euronews]] |date=June 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Trump: Poland to get some US troops withdrawn from Germany |url=https://www.startribune.com/logistical-hurdles-could-slow-troop-withdrawal-from-germany/571457732/ |work=[[Star Tribune]] |date=June 24, 2020 |access-date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022141239/https://www.startribune.com/logistical-hurdles-could-slow-troop-withdrawal-from-germany/571457732/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Trump said that "Poland is one of the few countries that are fulfilling their obligations under [[NATO]] — in particular, their monetary obligations — and they asked us if we would send some additional troops."<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump's plan to 'probably' move troops to Poland reveals a dangerous lack of a real strategy |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-plan-to-move-troops-to-poland-lack-of-strategy-2020-7 |work=Business Insider |date=July 3, 2020}}</ref>

===Russia===
{{See also|Russia–United States relations#Trump administration (2017–2021)}}

====During the campaign====
{{See also|Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections}}

Trump praised Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] repeatedly over a series of years.<ref name="DiamondPutinQuotes" /> During the campaign his praise blossomed into what many observers termed a "[[bromance]]".<ref name="DiamondPutinQuotes">Jeremy Diamond, [http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/28/politics/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-quotes/ Timeline: Donald Trump's praise for Vladimir Putin], CNN (July 29, 2016).</ref> In particular, Trump praised Putin as a "strong leader" and said that he expected to "get along very well" with Putin. Trump often described Putin as "a better leader" than Obama.<ref name="DiamondPutinQuotes"/> Putin praised Trump as "a very bright and talented man, no doubt about that", and Trump claimed Putin called him a "genius", a mischaracterization based on an incorrect translation.<ref>Robert Farley, [http://www.factcheck.org/2016/05/putin-did-not-call-trump-a-genius/ Putin Did Not Call Trump a 'Genius'], FackCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center (May 6, 2016) republished by [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/05/06/fact-check-putin-did-not-call-trump-a-genius/84037012/ USA Today].</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/03/04/donald_trump_definitely_praised_vladimir_putin.html |work=Slate |title=Trump Says He Never Praised Putin. That's Just Not True—Trump Loves Putin! |date=March 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>Shaun Walker, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/17/vladimir-putin-donald-trump-very-bright-talented-man-russia-us-presidential-race Vladimir Putin calls Donald Trump a 'very colourful and talented man'] (December 17, 2015).</ref> When asked about allegations that Putin has [[List of journalists killed in Russia|killed journalists]] and political opponents, Trump brushed them off, implying that the United States has done the same thing.<ref name="DiamondPutinQuotes"/><ref>{{cite news|author=Jeremy Diamond|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/18/politics/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-bromance |publisher=CNN |title=Donald Trump's bromance with Vladimir Putin |date=December 19, 2015}}</ref>

During the campaign, Trump hinted that he would consider recognizing [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Crimea as Russian territory]] and lifting the [[International sanctions during the Ukrainian crisis|sanctions on Russia]] that were imposed after Russia began [[Russo-Ukrainian War|military invention]] in an attempt to undermine the new, pro-Western [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] government.<ref name="FisherShocks">Max Fisher, [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/29/world/europe/russia-trump-clinton-email-hacking.html Donald Trump's Appeal to Russia Shocks Foreign Policy Experts], ''New York Times'' (July 28, 2016).</ref> He suggested that the "people of Crimea{{spaces}}... would rather be with Russia".<ref name=":18">{{cite web|url=http://uk.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-putin-ukraine-stephanopoulos-2016-7|title=George Stephanopoulos awkwardly corrects Donald Trump when he says Putin 'is not going into Ukraine'|website=[[Business Insider]]|last=Tani|first=Maxwell|date=July 31, 2016|access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref> It had been suggested that these policies were influenced by advisors who were sympathetic to Russian influence in Ukraine, including [[Paul Manafort]], [[Carter Page]], [[Henry Kissinger]],<ref name="CrowleyViews">Michael Crowley, [http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/trump-manafort-ukraine-crimea-russia-226573 Trump changed views on Ukraine after hiring Manafort], ''Politico'' (August 3, 2016).</ref> and [[Michael Flynn|Michael T. Flynn]].<ref name="Dreyfuss_4/19/2018">{{cite web | last=Dreyfuss | first=Bob | title=What the FBI Raid on Michael Cohen Means for the Russia Investigation | website=[[The Nation]] | date=April 19, 2018 | url=https://www.thenation.com/article/what-the-fbi-raid-on-michael-cohen-means-for-the-russia-investigation/ | access-date=December 2, 2019 | archive-date=April 20, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420002859/https://www.thenation.com/article/what-the-fbi-raid-on-michael-cohen-means-for-the-russia-investigation/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> Manafort in particular was strongly connected to [[Viktor Yanukovych]], the pro-Russian president of Ukraine who was deposed in the [[Revolution of Dignity|2014 Ukrainian revolution]].<ref name=":24">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-36862749|title=Are there any Trump links to Putin?|work=BBC News|access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":39">{{Cite web|url=http://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trumps-russia-connections-foreign-policy-presidential-campaign/|title=Donald Trump's Russia connections|date=April 27, 2016|language=en-US|access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":40">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-trumps-financial-ties-to-russia-and-his-unusual-flattery-of-vladimir-putin/2016/06/17/dbdcaac8-31a6-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html|title=Inside Trump's financial ties to Russia and his unusual flattery of Vladimir Putin|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref>

Trump also said that Russia could help the United States in [[International military intervention against the Islamic State|fighting the ISIS terror organization]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/trump-suggests-us-accept-russias-annexation-crimea/ |title= Trump suggests U.S. accept Russia's annexation of Crimea |date=August 1, 2016 |newspaper=[[PBS]] }}</ref>

====The Trump administration====
[[File:Vladimir Putin & Donald Trump in Helsinki, 16 July 2018 (2).jpg|thumb|President Trump and Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]], July 2018]]
In Trump's first 60-minute telephone call with Russian President Putin, Putin inquired about extending [[New START]] [[Nuclear disarmament|nuclear arms reduction treaty]] between the U.S. and Russia, negotiated by President [[Barack Obama]] in 2010. Trump attacked the treaty, claiming that it favored Russia and was "one of several bad deals negotiated by the Obama administration".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-putin-idUSKBN15O2A5 |title=Exclusive: In call with Putin, Trump denounced Obama-era nuclear arms treaty |publisher=Reuters |author1=Jonathan Landay |author2=David Rohde |location=Washington |date=February 9, 2017 }}</ref>

On February 6, 2017, talking to [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]] on [[Fox News]], Trump questioned the veracity of O'Reilly's claim that ″within 24 hours of you on the phone with the Russian leader, the pro-Russian forces [[Battle of Avdiivka (2017)|step[ed] up the violence]] in Ukraine″. He said he ″respected″ Putin and dismissed O'Reilly's statement that Putin was a ″killer″,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2017/02/07/bill-oreilly-exclusive-interview-with-president-trump/ |title=Bill O'Reilly's exclusive interview with President Trump|date=February 7, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017|work=Fox News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/02/06/bill-oreilly-called-putin-a-killer-now-the-kremlin-wants-an-apology-from-fox-news/|title=Bill O'Reilly called Putin 'a killer.' The Kremlin says it will wait patiently for an apology.|first1=Sarah|last1=Larimer|first2=J. Freedom du|last2=Lac|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> which prompted [[CNN]] to opine that Trump had "appeared to equate U.S. actions with the [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/04/politics/donald-trump-vladimir-putin/|title=Trump defends Putin: 'You think our country's so innocent?'|last=Tatum|first=Sophie|date=February 6, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017|work=CNN}}</ref>

As Trump's [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]], Michael T. Flynn was an important link in the connections between Putin and Trump in the "Ukraine peace plan", an unofficial plan "organized outside regular diplomatic channels....at the behest of top aides to President Putin". This plan, aimed at easing the [[International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War|sanctions imposed on Russia]], progressed from Putin and his advisors to Ukrainian politician [[Andrii Artemenko|Andrey Artemenko]], [[Felix Sater]], [[Michael Cohen (lawyer)|Michael Cohen]], and Flynn, where he would have then presented it to Trump. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that Sater delivered the plan "in a sealed envelope" to Cohen, who then passed it on to Flynn in February 2017, just before his resignation.<ref name="Dreyfuss_4/19/2018"/>

In February 2017, following his first meeting with his Russian counterpart [[Sergey Lavrov]], Secretary of State [[Rex Tillerson]] said that the U.S. expected Russia to "honor its commitment to the [[Minsk Protocol|Minsk agreements]] and work to de-escalate the violence in Ukraine".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/tillerson-and-lavrov-meet-for-first-time-in-bonn/2017/02/16/256d571a-f2fd-11e6-9fb1-2d8f3fc9c0ed_story.html|title=Tillerson, in diplomatic debut, urges Russia to pull back in eastern Ukraine|first=Carol|last=Morello|date=February 16, 2017|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> On the same day Secretary of Defense [[Jim Mattis|James Mattis]], declared that the United States was not currently prepared to collaborate with Russia on military matters, including future anti-ISIL US operations.<ref name="baldor">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mattis-us-ready-collaborate-militarily-russia-45531272|title=Mattis: US not ready to collaborate militarily with Russia|last=Baldor|first=Lolita|date=February 16, 2017|work=ABC News|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=February 16, 2017}}</ref>

[[Michael Isikoff]] of [[Yahoo! News]] reported in June 2017 that during the early weeks of the Trump administration, State Department employees were told to develop proposals to lift the sanctions which had been imposed on Russia after its military incursions into [[Ukraine]] and its interference in the November election. No action or return would be expected from Russia in return for removing the sanctions.<ref name="Isikoff">{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-administrations-secret-efforts-ease-russia-sanctions-fell-short-231301145.html|title=How the Trump administration's secret efforts to ease Russia sanctions fell short|last=Isikoff|first=Michael|date=June 1, 2017|work=Yahoo News|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref> The proposals were dropped after resistance from State Department employees and a realization that such an action would look bad politically in light of the investigations into a Russia connection to the Trump campaign. A former State Department employee who retired in February said, "What was troubling about these stories is that suddenly I was hearing that we were preparing to rescind sanctions in exchange for, well, nothing."<ref name="Dilanian">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/former-diplomats-trump-team-sought-lift-sanctions-russia-n767406|title=Former Diplomats: Trump Team Sought to Lift Sanctions on Russia|last=Dilanian|first=Ken|date=June 1, 2017|work=NBC News|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref>

According to a poll conducted by the SSRS, approximately 70% of Americans find that the federal investigation into Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election in the US should be able to look into President Donald Trump's finances. 60% of those polled view this as a serious matter that should be fully investigated, and it was recorded that 38% view it as a way to discredit the Presidency of Donald Trump.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/10/politics/cnn-poll-russia-investigation-trump-finances/index.html|title=Poll: Trump money fair game in Russia probe|last=Agiesta|first=Jennifer|work=CNN|access-date=November 27, 2017}}</ref> In an approximate two-to-one margin, those polled disapprove of the way the President is dealing the Russian investigation. According to the book ''The Madman Theory'' by [[CNN]] anchor [[Jim Sciutto]], [[Susan M. Gordon]] the former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence stated that Trump downplayed Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election and refused to devote the necessary resources to defend against it in the future. She went on to say that Trump had a "disproportionate affection for Russia".<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-madman-theory-jim-sciutto|title=The Madman Theory|website=HarperCollins}}</ref>

On August 2, 2017, Trump signed into law the [[Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act]] (CAATSA), which imposed new sanctions on Russia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump signs bill approving new sanctions against Russia |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/02/politics/donald-trump-russia-sanctions-bill/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

As president, Trump continued to advocate for U.S.-Russia cooperation against the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] terror organization. At his first direct meeting and encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he approved a collaborative plan for a limited cease-fire in the [[Syrian civil war]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2017/07/26/u-s-russia-relations-six-months-into-the-trump-administration/|title=U.S.-Russia relations six months into the Trump administration|last=Pifer|first=Steven|date=July 26, 2017|work=Brookings|access-date=November 27, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Vladimir Putin & Donald Trump in Helsinki, 16 July 2018 (4).jpg|thumb|Talks between U.S. delegation headed by Trump and Russian delegation headed by Putin at the [[2018 Russia–United States summit|summit]] in Helsinki, July 16, 2018]]
Trump met with Putin at a [[2018 Russia–United States summit|summit]] in [[Helsinki]] on July 16, 2018. The two leaders spoke one-on-one for two hours, with no aides or other people present except for two translators.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/07/16/629411046/trump-putin-meet-for-two-hours-in-helsinki |title=Trump, Putin Meet For 2 Hours In Helsinki |last=Horsley |first=Dan |date=July 16, 2018 |website=NPR |access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> There was no definite agenda, and no definite agreements were announced. After a joint press conference at the conclusion of the meeting, Trump drew harsh bipartisan criticism in the United States for appearing to side with Putin's denial of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, rather than accepting the findings of the [[United States Intelligence Community|United States intelligence community]].<ref name="zurcher">{{cite news |last1=Zurcher |first1=Anthony |title=Trump-Putin summit: After Helsinki, the fallout at home |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44830012 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |work=BBC News |agency=BBC News Services |date=July 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/07/trump-putin/565238/|title=Trump Sides With the Kremlin, Against the U.S. Government|last=Calamur|first=Krishnadev|date=July 16, 2018|work=The Atlantic|access-date=July 18, 2018}}</ref> Universally condemned by Democrats, his comments were also strongly criticized by many congressional Republicans and most media commentators, even those who normally support him.<ref name="break">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/16/politics/congress-reaction-trump-putin-comments/index.html|title=Top Republicans in Congress break with Trump over Putin comments|last=Fox|first=Lauren|date=July 16, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=July 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-allies-abandoning-him-after-putin-press-conference-2018-7|title=Trump's staunchest media allies are facing their biggest test yet — and some of them are finally abandoning him|last=Relman|first=Eliza|date=July 18, 2018|work=Business Insider|access-date=July 18, 2018}}</ref>

Amid continuing growth of [[People's Liberation Army Rocket Force|China's missile forces]], Trump announced in October 2018 that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]] due to supposed Russian non-compliance,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/20/trump-us-nuclear-arms-treaty-russia |title=Trump says US will withdraw from nuclear arms treaty with Russia |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=October 20, 2018 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> a move criticized by the former [[List of leaders of the Soviet Union|Soviet leader]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], who signed the treaty in 1987 with U.S. President [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia nuclear treaty: Gorbachev warns Trump plan will undermine disarmament |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45931231 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=October 21, 2018}}</ref>

On May 3, 2019, Trump held an hour and a half-long phone call with President Putin from the White House. The [[Embassy of Russia in Washington, D.C.|Russian Embassy]] stated that the pair discussed "shared commitment to step up dialogue in various areas, including on issues of [[strategic stability]]." Trump called the conversation "positive" and tweeted there was "Tremendous potential for a good/great relationship with Russia," and later relayed to reporters Putin's assurances that Russia isn't seeking to "get involved" with the ongoing [[Venezuelan presidential crisis|2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis]], despite Trump's national security advisors saying otherwise. They also discussed North Korean missile activity, with Putin briefing Trump on the [[2019 North Korea–Russia summit|April 25 meetings]] with North Korean leader [[Kim Jong-un]]. Trump and Putin agreed on the importance of [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|denuclearization]] and normalization of relations on the [[Korea|Korean peninsula]]. The [[Mueller report]] documented the results of a domestic U.S. [[Mueller special counsel investigation|investigation]] into many suspicious [[links between Trump associates and Russian officials and spies]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-04/russia-says-trump-initiated-friday-s-1-5-hour-call-with-putin|title=Russia Says Trump Initiated Friday's 1.5-Hour Call With Putin|date=May 4, 2019|access-date=May 5, 2019|work=Bloomberg News}}</ref>
[[File:World nuclear weapons.svg|thumb|right|In early 2019, more than 90% of world's 13,865 [[List of states with nuclear weapons|nuclear weapons]] were owned by Russia and the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Global Nuclear Arsenal Declines, But Future Cuts Uncertain Amid U.S.-Russia Tensions |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/nuclear-weapons-russia-start-inf-warheads/30003088.html |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=June 17, 2019}}</ref>]]
In June 2019, the ''New York Times'' reported that hackers from the [[United States Cyber Command]] planted malware potentially capable of disrupting the [[Electricity sector in Russia|Russian electrical grid]].<ref name="Wired">{{cite news |title=How Not To Prevent a Cyberwar With Russia |url=https://www.wired.com/story/russia-cyberwar-escalation-power-grid/ |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=June 18, 2019}}</ref> According to ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' senior writer [[Andy Greenberg]], "The Kremlin warned that the intrusions could escalate into a cyberwar between the two countries."<ref name="Wired"/>

During the [[45th G7 summit|2019 G7 summit]] in France, Trump unilaterally advocated for [[Group of Eight|Russia's membership to G7]] to be reinstated and said he intended to invite Vladimir Putin to the [[46th G7 summit|2020 G7 summit]], set to be held in the U.S. Trump also shifted some blame for Russia's 2014 [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Crimea annexation]] to his predecessor President [[Barack Obama]], saying Obama "was pure and simply outsmarted." "It could have been stopped...but President Obama was unable to stop it, and it's too bad," he added.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-advocates-for-putin-at-g-7-summit-in-move-to-soften-russias-pariah-status/2019/08/26/fa28b0f0-c81e-11e9-a1fe-ca46e8d573c0_story.html|title= Trump advocates for Putin at G-7 summit in move to soften Russia's pariah status |date=August 27, 2019|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=September 2, 2019}}</ref>

Trump said the [[Nord Stream 2]] [[List of countries by natural gas exports|gas pipeline]] from Russia to Germany, owned by Russia's [[Gazprom]], could turn Germany into a "hostage of Russia".<ref>{{cite news |title=Nord Stream 2: Trump approves sanctions on Russia gas pipeline |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50875935 |work=BBC News |date=December 21, 2019}}</ref> Businesses involved in the Nord Stream 2 have been sanctioned by the Trump administration with the passing of the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020]] on December 20, 2019.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump approves sanctions on builders of Russia-to-Europe gas pipelines|publisher=France24|date=December 20, 2019|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191221-trump-approves-sanctions-builders-of-russia-to-europe-gas-pipelines-energy-security-germany-turkey-eu}}</ref>

=====Alleged Russian bounty program=====
In June 2020, the ''New York Times'' reported that Russian military intelligence had paid [[Russian bounty program|bounties]] to [[Taliban]]-linked insurgents for killing U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Savage|first1=Charlie|last2=Schmitt|first2=Eric|last3=Schwirtz|first3=Michael|date=June 26, 2020|title=Russia Secretly Offered Afghan Militants Bounties to Kill U.S. Troops, Intelligence Says|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/politics/russia-afghanistan-bounties.html|access-date=June 26, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Trump, his Director of National Intelligence [[John Ratcliffe (American politician)|John Ratcliffe]], and National Security Adviser [[Robert C. O'Brien|Robert O'Brien]] said that Trump had not been briefed "because it was unverified intelligence",<ref>{{cite news |title=White House Defends Trump Not Being Briefed on Russia 'Bounty' for US Soldiers |url=https://www.voanews.com/usa/white-house-defends-trump-not-being-briefed-russia-bounty-us-soldiers |work=VOA News |date=June 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=O'Brien says top CIA official decided against briefing Trump on Russia bounty intel |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-russian-bounties-briefing-cia-officials-decided-against/ |work=CBS News |date=July 2, 2020}}</ref> but it was later reported that Trump received a written briefing on possible Russian bounties in a February 2020 ''[[President's Daily Brief]]'', a document that Trump often does not read.<ref name=SavageSchmittFandosGoldman>Charlie Savage, Eric Schmitt, Nicholas Fandos & Adam Goldman, [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/us/politics/russian-bounty-trump.html Trump Got Written Briefing in February on Possible Russian Bounties, Officials Say], ''New York Times'' (June 29, 2020).</ref> In subsequent conservations with Putin, Trump never raised the reports of the bounty program, saying "that's an issue that many people said was fake news."<ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/29/trump-russian-bounties-putin-call-385925 'A lot of people said it's a fake issue': Trump confirms he didn't raise Russian bounties with Putin], ''Politico'' (July 29, 2020).</ref> Some White House officials were aware of the bounty reports by early 2019.<ref name=LaPortaBounty>James LaPorta, [https://apnews.com/article/425e43fa0ffdd6e126c5171653ec47d1 AP sources: White House aware of Russian bounties in 2019], Associated Press (June 29, 2020).</ref>

The inclusion of the bounty reports in the ''[[President's Daily Brief]]'' and (in May 2020) in the CIA's classified ''World Intelligence Review'' intelligence compilation demonstrated that the reports, gleaned in part from information collected in raids and interrogations of captured [[Islamic terrorism|Islamist militants]] in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]], was seen as credible by U.S. intelligence officials.<ref name=SavageSchmittFandosGoldman/> The [[National Security Agency]] (NSA), which focuses on electronic intelligence-gathering and had been skeptical of human sources, "strongly dissented" from the CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency assessments that the bounty plot is credible and real.<ref name=SavageSchmittFandosGoldman/><ref>{{cite news |title=NSA Differed From CIA, Others on Russia Bounty Intelligence |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/nsa-differed-from-cia-others-on-russia-bounty-intelligence-11593534220 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Intel Official: Allegations of Russian Bounties to Taliban 'Uncorroborated' |url=https://news.yahoo.com/intel-official-allegations-russian-bounties-195850877.html |work=Yahoo News |date=June 29, 2020}}</ref>

After the National Security Council convened a meeting on the matter in late March 2020, the White House officials were presented with a number of options, including making a diplomatic protest and imposing sanctions, but Trump did not authorize any action.<ref name=SavageSchmittFandosGoldman/><ref name=LaPortaBounty/> General [[Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.|Kenneth McKenzie]], the commander of [[United States Central Command|U.S. Central Command]], said that he found no "causative link" between reported bounties to actual U.S. military deaths.<ref name="abc-bounty"/> [[United States Secretary of Defense|Defense Secretary]] [[Mark Esper]] and top military officials mostly played down reports of a bounty program; although the military's investigation remained open as of late December 2020.<ref name="abc-bounty">{{cite news |title=Top Pentagon officials say Russian bounty program not corroborated |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/top-pentagon-officials-russian-bounty-program-corroborated/story?id=71694167 |first=Luis |last=Martinez |work=ABC News |date=July 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. commander: Intel still hasn't established Russia paid Taliban 'bounties' to kill U.S. troops |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/u-s-commander-intel-still-hasn-t-established-russia-paid-n1240020 |work=NBC News |date=September 14, 2020}}</ref><ref name=taskpurpose>{{cite news|author=Jeff Schogol|title=Congress demands Pentagon take Russian bounties story seriously: The military's investigation into the bounties is still open.|date=December 23, 2020|work=Task & Purpose|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/congress-pentagon-russia-bounties-afghanistan/}}</ref>

On July 1, 2020, following media reports of Taliban participation in an alleged Russian bounty program, the [[United States House Committee on Armed Services|House Armed Services Committee]] overwhelmingly voted in favor of an amendment to the [[William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021|National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021]] (2021 NDAA) to restrict Trump's ability to [[Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan|withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=House panel votes to constrain Afghan drawdown, ask for assessment on 'incentives' to attack US troops |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/505568-house-panel-votes-to-constrain-afghan-drawdown-ask-for-assessment-on |work=The Hill |date=July 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=House Democrats, Working With Liz Cheney, Restrict Trump's Planned Withdrawal of Troops From Afghanistan and Germany |url=https://theintercept.com/2020/07/02/house-democrats-working-with-liz-cheney-restrict-trumps-planned-withdrawal-of-troops-from-afghanistan-and-germany/ |work=The Intercept |date=July 2, 2020}}</ref> In a provision of an omnibus appropriations bill enacted in December 2020, Congress pressed the military to further investigate the reports on "Russia's malign activities in Afghanistan" and provide a report to Congress.<ref name=taskpurpose/>

In April 2021, after Trump's term ended, the U.S. government reported that the U.S. intelligence community only had "low to moderate confidence" in the bounty program allegations.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Adam |last1=Rawnsley |first2=Spencer |last2=Ackerman |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/us-intel-walks-back-claim-russians-put-bounties-on-american-troops |access-date=April 15, 2021 |title=U.S. Intel Walks Back Claim Russians Put Bounties on American Troops |newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=April 15, 2021 |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923050129/https://www.thedailybeast.com/us-intel-walks-back-claim-russians-put-bounties-on-american-troops |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Spain and Catalonia===
{{See also|Spain–United States relations}}
[[File:President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.jpg|thumb|Trump and Spanish Prime Minister [[Mariano Rajoy]], September 2017]]
Amid the [[2017–2018 Spanish constitutional crisis]], during [[Prime Minister of Spain|Spanish Prime Minister]] [[Mariano Rajoy]]'s visit to the White House, Trump said on September 26, 2017, that the United States opposed the [[Catalan independence movement]], saying that separation would be "foolish" and that "Spain is a great country, and it should remain united".<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/09/26/trump-says-u-s-opposes-independence-bid-in-spains-catalonia-region/2 Trump says U.S. opposes independence bid in Spain's Catalonia region] [[Washington Post]] (September 26, 2017)</ref>

On October 27 of the same year, the [[Parliament of Catalonia]] approved the [[Catalan declaration of independence|unilateral declaration of independence]], the U.S. State Department stated: "[[Catalonia]] is an integral part of Spain, and the United States supports the Spanish government's constitutional measures to keep Spain strong and united".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith-Spark|first1=Laura|last2=Rebaza|first2=Claudia|title=Catalonia votes to declare split from Spain|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/27/europe/catalonia-independence-spain/index.html|work=[[CNN]]|date=October 27, 2017}}</ref>

===Ukraine===
{{See also|Ukraine–United States relations}}{{further|Trump–Ukraine scandal}}
[[File:-UNGA (48796017461).jpg|thumb|Trump and Ukrainian President [[Volodymyr Zelensky]], September 2019]]

Speaking to the Yalta European Strategy conference in September 2015, Trump criticized Germany and other [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Europe|European countries]] for not doing enough to support Ukraine in its [[Russian military intervention in Ukraine (2014–present)|conflict]] with Russia, saying, [[Ukrainians]] are "not being treated right."<ref name=tufs15>[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/11/donald-trump-ukraine-video-link Trump discusses Ukraine and Syria with European politicians via video link], ''[[The Guardian]]'' (September 11, 2015)</ref> However early in the campaign Trump opposed U.S. involvement in the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Ukrainian crisis]], describing Crimea as "Europe's problem;" in a rally in July 2016 he implied that such involvement could have led to [[World War III]] and criticized Germany and other European countries for not doing more to support Ukraine.<ref>[http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/donald-trump-crimea-ukraine-war-226522 Trump: Taking back Crimea would trigger World War III] [[Politico]] (August 1, 2016)</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/31/politics/doanld-trump-crimea-europe-problem/ |title=Donald Trump: Crimea is Europe's problem |publisher=CNN |date=July 31, 2015 |access-date=November 4, 2015}}</ref> Later in the campaign, however, he stated that he would consider [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|recognizing Crimea as Russian territory]].<ref name="TrumpCs27716">{{Cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/trump-crimea-sanctions-russia-226292|title=Trump to look at recognizing Crimea as Russian territory, lifting sanctions|date=July 27, 2016 |publisher=[[Politico]]|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":18"/> In February 2017 Trump explained that Crimea was taken by Russia by force and asked whether Obama was too soft on Russia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-russia-latest-tweet-accuse-crimea-obama-too-soft-distance-campaign-team-white-house-a7581511.html|title=Donald Trump accuses Russia of taking Crimea by force in attempt to distance himself from campaign allegations|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>

In August 2015 Trump stated he had no opinion about [[Ukraine–NATO relations|Ukrainian membership in NATO]], saying that both membership and non-membership would be "great".<ref name="tufs15"/><ref name=wpyc15>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/11/trump-tells-ukraine-conference-their-nation-was-invaded-because-there-is-no-respect-for-the-united-states/ Trump tells Ukraine conference their nation was invaded because 'there is no respect for the United States'], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' (September 11, 2015)</ref>

Since at least May 2019, Trump's personal attorney [[Rudy Giuliani]] had been pushing for [[Volodymyr Zelensky]], the newly elected president of Ukraine, to investigate the oil company [[Burisma]], whose board of directors includes [[Joe Biden]]'s son [[Hunter Biden|Hunter]], as well as to check if there were any irregularities in the Ukrainian investigation of [[Paul Manafort]]. He said such investigations would be beneficial to his client, Trump, and that his efforts had Trump's full support.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/us/politics/giuliani-ukraine-trump.html?module=inline|title=Rudy Giuliani Plans Ukraine Trip to Push for Inquiries That Could Help Trump|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P.|date=May 9, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 20, 2019}}</ref> Giuliani met with Ukrainian officials to press this case in June 2019 and August 2019.<ref name = repeatedly>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-defends-conversation-with-ukraine-leader-11568993176|title=Trump Repeatedly Pressed Ukraine President to Investigate Biden's Son|date=September 20, 2019|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=September 21, 2019}}</ref> Meanwhile, the [[White House]] put a hold on the distribution of $250 million worth of military aid to Ukraine which Congress had authorized. On September 11 the administration said it had released the money, even as Congress was contemplating bills to force its release.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-ukraine/trump-administration-reinstates-military-aid-for-ukraine-idUSKCN1VX213|title=Trump administration reinstates military aid for Ukraine|last=Zengerle|first=Patricia|date=September 12, 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=September 20, 2019}}</ref>

In September 2019, as reports surfaced of a whistleblower complaint against Trump that may have involved Ukraine, Giuliani conceded he had been pressing the Ukrainian government to investigate the Biden connection.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/462277-giuliani-says-of-course-he-asked-ukraine-to-look-into-biden-seconds|title=Giuliani says 'of course' he asked Ukraine to look into Biden seconds after denying it|last=Frazin|first=Rachel|date=September 19, 2019|work=The Hill|access-date=September 20, 2019}}</ref> In a later tweet he seemed to confirm reports that Trump had withheld the military assistance funds for Ukraine as a way of forcing them to carry out the investigations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2019/9/20/20875471/rudy-giuliani-chris-cuomo-cnn-meltdown-trump-ukraine-cnn|title=Rudy Giuliani's viral CNN meltdown over Trump and Ukraine, briefly explained|last=Rupar|first=Aaron|date=September 20, 2019|work=Vox|access-date=September 20, 2019}}</ref> He said, "The reality is that the President of the United States, whoever he is, has every right to tell the president of another country you better straighten out the corruption in your country if you want me to give you a lot of money. If you're so damn corrupt that you can't investigate allegations – our money is going to get squandered."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/20/politics/donald-trump-whistleblower/index.html|title=New revelations deepen scandal over Trump whistleblower complaint|last=Collinson|first=Stephen|date=September 12, 2019|work=CNN|access-date=September 20, 2019}}</ref>

Trump himself spoke to Zelensky by phone on July 25, 2019, and according to ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' he urged Zelensky "about eight times" to work with Giuliani and investigate Biden's son.<ref name = repeatedly/> On September 25, the administration released the White House's five-page, declassified memorandum of the July 25 phone call, which shows Trump repeatedly pressing Zelensky to work with Giuliani and U.S. Attorney General [[William Barr]] on investigations into the [[Family of Joe Biden|Biden family]] as well as the cybersecurity company [[CrowdStrike]].<ref name="ShearHaberman">{{cite news |author-link=Michael D. Shear |first1=Michael D. |last1=Shear |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author-link2=Maggie Haberman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/25/us/politics/ukraine-transcript-trump.html |title='Do Us a Favor': Calls Shows Trump's Interest in Using U.S. Power for His Gain |work=The New York Times |date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="releasedWaPo">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/transcript-of-trumps-call-with-ukrainian-president-shows-him-offering-us-assistance-for-biden-investigation/2019/09/25/16aa36ca-df0f-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|first1=Devlin |last1=Barrett |first2=Matt |last2=Zapotosky |first3=Carol D. |last3=Leonnig |author-link3=Carol D. Leonnig |first4=Josh |last4=Dawsey |title=Transcript of Trump's call with Ukrainian president shows him offering U.S. assistance for Biden investigation |access-date=September 29, 2019 }}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
{{See also|United Kingdom–United States relations}}
[[File:President Trump at No. 10 Downing Street (48000927473).jpg|thumb|Trump and British Prime Minister [[Theresa May]], June 2019]]

During the campaign, Trump stated his support for [[Brexit|British voters voting to leave the European Union]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/eu-referendum/trump-says-british-vote-is-a-grea.t-thing/|title=Trump Says British Vote Is a 'Great Thing'|last=Parker|first=Ashley|date=June 24, 2016|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=June 24, 2016}}{{dead link|date=March 2021}}</ref> In an interview with [[Piers Morgan]] in May 2016, Trump said that UK withdrawal would make no difference to a potential bilateral trade deal between the United Kingdom and the United States if he became president.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-trump-idUSKCN0Y60AY Trump says Brexit wouldn't impact potential UK-U.S. trade deal if he is president: ITV], Reuters (May 15, 2016).</ref>

On January 27, 2017, Trump met with [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[Theresa May]], the first foreign leader to visit him at the White House. In the meeting Trump reiterated his support for both countries' involvement in [[NATO]].<ref name="CBCTrudeau">{{cite web|title=Trudeau is the 3rd leader hosted by Trump: Here's how the first 2 meetings went|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-trudeau-may-abe-1.3978697|website=CBC News|publisher=CBC|access-date=March 21, 2017|date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>

In March 2017, White House press secretary [[Sean Spicer]] repeated a false claim from [[Fox News]] commentator [[Andrew Napolitano]] claiming that the British [[GCHQ]] had [[Trump Tower wiretapping allegations|wiretapped Trump Tower]]. This drew an angry response from the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government]], and eventually resulted in an apology from Spicer and the U.S. National Security Advisor [[H. R. McMaster]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Swinford|first1=Steven|title=Donald Trump fuels diplomatic row with Britain after apology from US officials over GCHQ wiretapping claims|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/17/us-makes-formal-apology-britain-white-house-accuses-gchq-wiretapping/|access-date=March 21, 2017|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=March 18, 2017|ref=Telegraphwiretap}}</ref>

In November 2017, Trump re-tweeted three [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] videos posted by [[Jayda Fransen]], a leader of the [[Far-right politics in the United Kingdom|British far-right]] party [[Britain First]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/trumps-tweets-elevate-a-tiny-fringe-group-of-anti-muslim-activists-in-britain/2017/11/29/02489a42-d515-11e7-9ad9-ca0619edfa05_story.html|title=Trump's retweets elevate a tiny fringe group of anti-Muslim activists in Britain|last1=Booth|first1=William|date=November 29, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=November 29, 2017|last2=Adam|first2=Karla|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/29/trump-account-retweets-anti-muslim-videos-of-british-far-right-leader|title=No 10 condemns Trump's retweets of UK far-right leader's anti-Muslim videos|last1=Weaver|first1=Matthew|date=November 29, 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=November 29, 2017|last2=Booth|first2=Robert|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|last3=Jacobs|first3=Ben}}</ref> Theresa May's spokesperson condemned Trump, saying "The British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudiced rhetoric of the far-right, which is the antithesis of the values that this country represents — decency, tolerance and respect. It is wrong for the President to have done this."<ref name=":1" /> Labour leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]] called Trump "abhorrent, dangerous and a threat to our country".<ref name=":2" />

In July 2018, Trump met with Queen [[Elizabeth II]] at [[Windsor Castle]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/11/donald-trump-uk-visit-date-theresa-may-protest/|title=Donald Trump UK visit: Everything you need to know about his schedule and itinerary|date=July 13, 2018|work=Telegraph}}</ref>
[[File:President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's Trip to the United Kingdom (47995680802).jpg|thumb|right|Trump and the [[Prince of Wales]] inspect the 1st Battalion, [[Grenadier Guards]] in the [[Garden at Buckingham Palace]], June 2019]]
In June 2019, Trump made a state visit to the UK on behalf of invitation by Queen Elizabeth II.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/06/03/everything-know-donald-trumps-state-visit-britain/|title=Everything we know about Donald Trump's state visit to Britain|date=June 5, 2019|work=Telegraph}}</ref>

On July 7, weeks after Trump's state visit to the UK, leaked [[diplomatic cable]]s revealed candid and unflattering assessments [[Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States|UK Ambassador]] [[Kim Darroch]] made regarding Trump and his administration since 2017, including calling Trump's presidency "diplomatically clumsy and inept" and stating that the president "radiates insecurity," along with suggesting that unproven claims of Trump and his son-in-law [[Jared Kushner]] being indebted "to shady Russian moneymen" could "not be ruled out".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48898231 |title=Trump administration is 'inept and insecure', says UK ambassador |work=[[BBC News]] |date=July 7, 2019 |access-date=July 7, 2019}}</ref>

Trump subsequently tweeted that Darroch was "not liked or well thought of within the US" and that "we will no longer deal with him" and showed dismay at Prime Minister Theresa May's support of Darroch amidst the diplomatic row. On July 10, Darroch tendered his resignation, writing that "the current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like". A spokesman for the prime minister said that it was an ambassador's job to provide "an honest and unvarnished view" of the U.S. administration.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Peter |title=Kim Darroch resigns as UK ambassador to US after leaked Trump comment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jul/10/kim-darroch-resigns-as-uk-ambassador-to-us-after-leaked-trump-comment |access-date=July 10, 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=July 10, 2019}}</ref> Darroch did not leave his post until 2020.

In July 2019, May was replaced by [[Boris Johnson]].

==Middle East==
===Egypt===
{{See also|Egypt–United States relations}}
[[File:President Donald Trump welcomes President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt to the White House (01).jpg|thumb|Trump greets Egyptian President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]], April 2017]]
During the campaign, Trump described the President of Egypt, [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]], as a "fantastic guy", praising his handling of various political events in Egypt, such as [[June 2013 Egyptian protests|a massive uprising in late June 2013 in Egypt]] against former President [[Mohamed Morsi]], which was followed by Morsi being [[2013 Egyptian coup d'état|removed from office]] by el-Sisi on July 3, 2013.<ref name=":71">{{Cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/trump-praises-egypts-al-sisi-hes-a-fantastic-guy-228560#ixzz4L2V03mlz|title=Trump praises Egypt's al-Sisi: 'He's a fantastic guy'|website=[[Politico]]|date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=September 23, 2016}}</ref> Trump said that there was a "good feeling between [them]".<ref name=":71" />

In April 2017, Trump welcomed el-Sisi to the White House, saying "We are very much behind President Sisi – he has done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation" and assuring el-Sisi that "you have a great ally in the US and in me."<ref name="welcomes">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/03/donald-trump-welcomes-egypts-president-says-has-close-ever-since/|title=Donald Trump welcomes Egypt's president and says he has 'been close to him ever since the first time we met'|date=April 3, 2017|work=The Telegraph|access-date=April 24, 2017}}</ref> In contrast, Sisi was never invited to the White House during the Obama administration, which criticized post-Morsi authorities in Egypt, as well as Egypt's human rights record.<ref name = "welcomes" />

===Iran===
{{Further|Iran–United States relations#2017–21: Trump administration}}

[[File:President Trump Gives Remarks on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.webm|thumb|President Trump announces the United States withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, May 8, 2018]]

====Withdrawal from nuclear agreement====
{{Main|United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|Iran Action Group}}

During the campaign Trump maintained that "Iran is now the dominant Islamic power in the [[Middle East]] and on the road to nuclear weapons."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jewishjournal.com/news/nation/186652/|title=Trump targets Clinton on tenure at State Dept.|last=JacobK|date=June 22, 2016|work=Jewish Journal|access-date=March 25, 2017}}</ref> He [[United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|opposed]] the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]] (JCPOA or "Iran nuclear deal") that was negotiated with [[P5+1|the United States, Iran, and five other world powers]] in 2015. Trump called the agreement "terrible" and saying that the Obama administration negotiated the agreement "from desperation."<ref name="KatyTurIranInterview">[https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-weighs-iran-deal-n391926 Donald Trump Weighs in on Iran Deal] (interview with [[Katy Tur]]), NBC News (July 14, 2015).</ref> At one point he said that despite opposing the content of the deal, he would attempt to enforce it rather than abrogate it.<ref>{{cite web|author=Igor Bobic|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-iran-deal_55d0a844e4b0ab468d9d907e |title=Donald Trump Would Not Rip Up The Iran Deal|work=Huffington Post|date=August 16, 2015}}</ref> However, in a speech to the [[American Israel Public Affairs Committee]] (AIPAC) in March 2016, Trump said that his "number-one priority is to dismantle the disastrous deal with Iran."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/4267058/donald-trump-aipac-speech-transcript/|title=Read Donald Trump's Speech to AIPAC|last=Begley|first=Sarah|magazine=Time|access-date=May 16, 2016}}</ref>

The administration boasted that Trump personally lobbied dozens of European officials against doing business with Iran during the May [[2017 Brussels summit]]; this likely violated the terms of the JCPOA, which expressly states that the U.S. may not pursue "any policy specifically intended to directly and adversely affect the normalization of trade and economic relations with Iran." The Trump administration certified in July 2017 that Iran had upheld its end of the agreement.<ref>{{cite web|last=Aleem|first=Zeeshan|url=https://www.vox.com/2017/7/21/16003746/trump-iran-deal-zarif|title=Iran says the US is violating the nuclear deal. It has a point.|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=July 21, 2017|access-date=July 22, 2017}}</ref>

On May 8, 2018, Trump announced the United States was withdrawing from the agreement,<ref name=deal>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994/Trump-decides-to-exit-nuclear-accord-with-Iran|title=Trump declares US leaving 'horrible' Iran nuclear accord|last=Lederman|first=Josh|date=May 8, 2018|work=Associated Press|access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> calling he agreement "a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made" and added, "it didn't bring calm, it didn't bring peace, and it never will."<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump Withdraws U.S. From 'One-Sided' Iran Nuclear Deal|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/world/middleeast/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 8, 2018 |access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508181319/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/world/middleeast/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html|archive-date=May 8, 2018|url-status=live|last1=Landler |first1=Mark }}</ref>

In November 2018, the Trump administration officially reinstated all sanctions against Iran that were previously lifted before the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/05/politics/iran-sanctions/index.html|title=US officially reimposes all sanctions lifted under 2015 Iran nuclear deal|author=Donna Borak and Nicole Gaouette|website=CNN|date=November 5, 2018 |access-date=January 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-03/trump-and-iran-sanctions/10462528|title=Donald Trump restores Iran sanctions, hitting oil exports over its support for militant groups|date=November 3, 2018|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=January 31, 2019}}</ref>

Contradicting the administration's previous statements, a January 2019 U.S. intelligence community assessment concluded that Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapons.<ref name="auto"/> In May 2019, the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] certified that Iran was abiding by the main terms of the Iran nuclear deal, although questions were raised on how many advanced centrifuges Iran was allowed to have, as that was only loosely defined in the deal.<ref name=ReutersMay19>{{cite news |title=Iran Stays Within Nuclear Deal's Main Limits While Testing Another |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-iaea/iran-stays-within-nuclear-deals-main-limits-while-testing-another-idUSKCN1T11PW |website=[[Reuters]] |last=Murphy |first=Francois |date=May 31, 2019 |access-date=June 1, 2019}}</ref>

In August 2020, after the [[United Nations Security Council]] rejected a U.S.-sponsored proposal to extend an arms embargo against Iran, Trump said that the U.S. would unilaterally "snapback" sanctions against Iran that had been lifted as part of the JCPOA—an argument based on the stance that the U.S. remained a "participant" in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal–despite Trump's withdrawal from it.<ref name=Snapback>Agencies, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/15/iran-calls-us-defeat-over-un-arms-embargo-a-humiliation Donald Trump vows 'snapback' over humiliating UN defeat on Iran arms embargo], ''The Guardian'' (August 15, 2020).</ref> The U.S. argument was met with skepticism by European allies.<ref name=Snapback/> The Security Council voted on the Trump administration proposal later in August, with only the [[Dominican Republic]] joining the United States to vote in favor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/26/world/middleeast/us-iran-nuclear-deal-pompeo.html|title=To Pressure Iran, Pompeo Turns to the Deal Trump Renounced|first=David E.|last=Sanger|work=The New York Times |date=April 26, 2020|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/us/politics/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html|title=Instead of Isolating Iran, U.S. Finds Itself on the Outside Over Nuclear Deal|first1=Lara|last1=Jakes|first2=David E.|last2=Sanger|date=August 20, 2020|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>

====Intensified sanctions====
{{Main|Sanctions against Iran}}
The Trump White House announced that it was putting Iran "on notice" following its [[Iranian missile tests|ballistic missile tests]] on January 29, 2017, just days after taking office.<ref name=test>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-02/white-house-puts-iran-on-notice-over-ballistic-missile-test/8234734|title=White House warns Iran 'officially on notice' following missile test|date=February 2, 2017|website=ABC News}}</ref> Days later, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on 25 Iranian individuals and entities, calling these "initial steps".<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump administration tightens Iran sanctions, Tehran hits back|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-idUSKBN15H253|work=Reuters|date=February 3, 2016}}</ref>

The Trump administration designated Iran's [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC) as a [[United States Department of State list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations|terrorist organization]] in April 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/08/politics/iran-us-irgc-designation/index.html|title=Trump designates elite Iranian military force as a terrorist organization|date=April 8, 2019|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="nytimes">{{cite web |last1=Wong and Schmitt |first1=Edward and Eric |title=Trump Designates Iran's Revolutionary Guards a Foreign Terrorist Group |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/08/world/middleeast/trump-iran-revolutionary-guard-corps.html |website=New York Times|date=April 8, 2019}}</ref> Throughout 2019, the administration imposed sanctions on Iranian Supreme Leader [[Ali Khamenei|Ayatollah Ali Khamenei]], Foreign Minister [[Mohammad Javad Zarif]], other top officials and their associates, IRGC commanders, the [[Central Bank of Iran]], and the Iranian industrial, construction, and other sectors.<ref>
* {{cite web |last1=Holland, Kalin |first1=Steve, Stephen |title=Trump puts sanctions on Iranian supreme leader, other top officials |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-usa/trump-puts-sanctions-on-iranian-supreme-leader-other-top-officials-idUSKCN1TP13D |work=Reuters|date=June 24, 2019 |ref=none}}
* {{cite web |title=Donald Trump orders fresh sanctions against Iran's Ali Khamenei |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/24/mike-pompeo-us-saudi-arabia-talks-iran-united-arab-emirates-tensions |website=The Guardian|date=June 24, 2019 |ref=none}}
* {{cite web |last1=Chiacu |first1=Doina |title=New U.S. sanctions target Iran's petrochemical industry |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-iran-sanctions/new-u-s-sanctions-target-irans-petrochemical-industry-idUSL2N23E0QL |work=Reuters|date=June 7, 2019 |ref=none}}
* {{cite web |title=US imposes sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif|date=August 1, 2018|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/8/1/us-imposes-sanctions-on-iranian-foreign-minister-zarif|website=Al Jazeera |ref=none}}
* {{cite web|author=Ginger Gibson|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-usa-idUSKBN1XE1S1|work=Reuters|title=U.S. targets Iranian top leader's inner circle with new sanctions|date=November 4, 2019 |ref=none}}
* {{cite web|work=The Iran Primer|date=November 1, 2019|title=U.S. Sanctions Iran's Construction Sector|url=https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2019/nov/01/us-sanctions-iran%E2%80%99s-construction-sector |ref=none}}</ref>
<ref name=HollandHeavey>{{cite web|author1=Steve Holland |author2=Susan Heavey |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-aramco-usa-iran/u-s-sanctions-irans-central-bank-fund-after-saudi-oil-attack-idUSKBN1W51Q4|work=Reuters|title=U.S. sanctions Iran's central bank, fund after Saudi oil attack|date=September 20, 2019}}</ref> The U.S. sanctions caused economic damage to Iran, but did not cause the [[Economy of Iran|Iranian economy]] to collapse.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jackie Northam|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/01/16/796781021/why-irans-economy-has-not-collapsed-amid-u-s-sanctions-and-maximum-pressure|title=Why Iran's Economy Has Not Collapsed Amid U.S. Sanctions And 'Maximum Pressure'|date=January 16, 2020|publisher=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/iran-unlikely-negotiate-united-states-near-term|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|author=Amir Asmar & Jacob Ware|date=April 20, 2020|title=Iran Unlikely to Negotiate With the United States in the Near-Term}}</ref> The impact of new sanctions was also limited because many sanctioned entities had already been under U.S. sanctions.<ref name=HollandHeavey/>

On May 20, 2019, amid a period of [[Iran–United States relations#2019–2020 escalation in tensions|high tensions]] with Iran, Trump said: "We have no indication that anything's happened or will happen" in Iran.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sonmez |first1=Felicia |title=Trump says there's 'no indication' of threatening actions by Iran |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-theres-no-indication-of-threatening-actions-by-iran/2019/05/20/da37bad6-7b4b-11e9-8bb7-0fc796cf2ec0_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=May 25, 2019}}</ref> On May 24, Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] declared an "emergency" over Iran, allowing for the U.S. to sell around $8 billion worth of weapons to [[Saudi Arabia]], without any congressional review, in the "national security interest of the United States".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-bypasses-congress-push-through-arms-sales-saudis-uae-n1010116|title=Trump bypasses Congress to sell bombs to Gulf states|website=NBC News|date=May 24, 2019 }}</ref>

In August 2020, [[United States Intelligence Community|U.S. intelligence]] officials assessed that Iran offered bounties to the [[Taliban]]-linked [[Haqqani network]] to kill foreign servicemembers, including Americans, in Afghanistan.<ref name="cnn-taliban">{{cite news |title=US intelligence indicates Iran paid bounties to Taliban for targeting American troops in Afghanistan |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/17/politics/iran-taliban-bounties-us-intelligence/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=August 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Iran paid bounties for targeting US troops, intelligence reportedly suggests |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/512273-iran-paid-bounties-for-targeting-us-troops-intelligence-reportedly-suggests |work=The Hill |date=August 17, 2020}}</ref> U.S. intelligence determined that Iran paid bounties to [[Taliban insurgency|Taliban insurgents]] for the 2019 [[2019 Bagram Airfield attack|attack on Bagram airport]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran reportedly paid bounties to Afghan group for attacks on Americans |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/17/iran-bounties-us-troops-afghanistan-taliban |work=The Guardian |date=August 17, 2020}}</ref> According to CNN, Donald Trump's administration "never mentioned Iran's connection to the bombing, an omission current and former officials said was connected to the broader prioritization of the peace agreement and withdrawal from Afghanistan."<ref name="cnn-taliban"/>

On August 6, 2020, the Trump administration fired the State Department's Special Representative to Iran [[Brian Hook]]. [[Jason Rezaian]] viewed it as a tacit admission that the so-called ''maximum pressure'' policy toward Iran had failed. They did this ahead of a U.S.-led U.N. Security Council vote ton whether to prolong an embargo on the sale of weapons to Iran set to expire in October. Rezaian said that Russia and China were almost certain to veto the extension allowing Iran to start buying arms again from whomever it likes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/12/requiem-trumps-failed-iran-envoy/|title=Opinion &#124; A requiem for Trump's failed Iran envoy|first=Jason|last=Rezaian|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref>

====Soleimani killing====
{{further|Assassination of Qasem Soleimani|}}
[[File:President Trump Delivers a Statement on Iran January 3 2020.webm|thumb|right|President Trump announces the death of Qasem Soleimani, after U.S. Drone Strike, January 3, 2020]]
In January 2020, Trump ordered the killing of Iranian Major General [[Qasem Soleimani]], which was accomplished on January 3 in an [[Assassination of Qasem Soleimani|airstrike on Baghdad International Airport]]. Trump later announced Soleimani's death in a televised address, calling Soleimani "the number-one terrorist anywhere in the world" and saying that he was "plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-killing-qasem-soleimani/|title=Remarks by President Trump on the Killing of Qasem Soleimani|date=January 3, 2020|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref> [[US Ambassador to the United Nations]] [[Kelly Craft]] wrote a letter to the [[UN Security Council]] in which she said that the act was one of [[self-defense]].<ref name="auto8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/09/world/middleeast/us-iran-war.html|title=Iran Offers Mixed Message After Backing Away From Conflict With U.S.|first=Megan|last=Specia|date=January 9, 2020|work=The New York Times}}</ref> At the same time, she wrote in the letter that the US stood "ready to engage without preconditions in serious negotiations with Iran, with the goal of preventing further endangerment of international peace and security or escalation by the Iranian regime."<ref name="auto8"/>

Iran threatened retaliation, and Trump, in return, threatened to bomb 52 "very high level & important" sites in Iran (one for each American hostage taken in the 1979–81 [[Iran hostage crisis]]), including those of cultural importance, an act which many international legal experts have noted would constitute a [[war crime]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/05/world/trump-iran-cultural-sites-war-crime/index.html|title=Trump's threatened attack on Iranian cultural sites could be a war crime if carried out|author=Eric Levenson|website=CNN|date=January 5, 2020 }}</ref> under the 1954 [[Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict]]. That summer, Iran issued an [[Interpol notice|arrest warrant]] for 36 U.S. political and military officials, including Trump, for their role in the killing of Soleimani, though this effort was seen as symbolic.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran has issued an arrest warrant for Trump over the killing of Qassem Soleimani, and asked Interpol to help detain him |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-issues-arrest-warrant-donald-trump-killing-qassem-soleimani-interpol-2020-6 |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=June 29, 2020}}</ref>

===Iraq, Syria, and the Islamic State===
====Iraq====
{{See also|Iraq–United States relations|American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021)|Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq (2020–2021)}}
[[File:Photo of the Day 3 21 17 (34122429356).jpg|thumb|Trump greets Iraqi Prime Minister [[Haider al-Abadi]], March 2017]]
During the 2016 campaign, Trump repeatedly advocated that the United States should "take the oil" from [[Iraq]] as "[[Prize of war|spoils of war]]", a decision which would require another invasion and occupation of the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/09/09/trump-thinks-the-u-s-should-take-the-oil-in-iraq-heres-why-that-is-not-so-easy/|title=Trump's illegal, impossible, and 'beyond goofy' idea of seizing Iraq's oil|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/09/09/trump-thinks-the-u-s-should-take-the-oil-in-iraq-heres-why-that-is-not-so-easy/|title=Trump's illegal, impossible, and 'beyond goofy' idea of seizing Iraq's oil|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> Trump's statements caused criticism and controversy, as most legal experts agreed that the action would be an illegal [[war crime]] under the [[Geneva Conventions]] and because many believed that it would increase support for [[Islamic fundamentalism]] across the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2016/09/16/trumps-take-the-oil-madness/|title=Trump's "take the oil" madness|last=Riedel|first=Bruce|date=September 16, 2016|website=Brookings|language=en-US|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/sep/09/should-US-have-kept-Iraq-oil/|title=Should the U.S. have kept Iraq's oil, as Donald Trump says?|website=PolitiFact|language=en|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref>

Trump defended his statements by claiming that they would recoup the cost of U.S. military expenditure in Iraq and prevent Iraqi oil infrastructure from falling under [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]] [[Oil production and smuggling in ISIL|control]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/21/donald-trump-iraq-war-oil-strategy-seizure-isis |title=Trump's plan to seize Iraq's oil: 'It's not stealing, we're reimbursing ourselves' |editor-first=Julian (World Affairs)|editor-last=Borger |date=September 21, 2016 |work=The Guardian |access-date=April 4, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Trump reiterated his support for seizing other nations' oil after taking office as president. In January 2017, he said that the United States "should have kept the oil" after the [[Iraq War|Iraq invasion]] and "maybe we'll have another chance".<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2017/01/24/president-trump-muses-about-seizing-iraq-oil-energy-experts-say-makes-sense/agDuY3hkEXKxisI302rZbI/story.html|title=As President Trump muses about seizing Iraq oil, energy experts say it makes no sense – The Boston Globe|newspaper=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> [[Axios (website)|Axios]] reported in 2018 that, as president, Trump had twice brought the issue up with [[Prime Minister of Iraq|Iraqi Prime Minister]] [[Haider al-Abadi]], causing consternation among Trump's advisers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/11/trump-iraq-oil|title=Trump Twice Floated Plundering Iraq's Oil to Iraq's Prime Minister|last=Levin|first=Bess|website=The Hive|date=November 26, 2018 |language=en|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/trump-to-iraqi-pm-how-about-that-oil-1543188651-57a2f4ad-bd00-41c3-898d-d8b1fd822abc.html|title=Trump to Iraqi PM: How about that oil?|website=Axios|date=November 25, 2018 |language=en|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref>

[[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Adviser]] [[H. R. McMaster|H.R. McMaster]] is reported to have told Trump "We can't do this and you shouldn't talk about it. Because talking about it is just bad ... It's bad for America's reputation, it'll spook allies, it scares everybody," while [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Jim Mattis]] publicly stated that the United States did not intend "to seize anybody's oil."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/hr-mcmaster-criticized-trump-for-asking-about-taking-iraqs-oil-2018-11|title=H.R. McMaster reportedly called Trump out for asking about taking Iraq's oil|last=Woody|first=Christopher|website=Business Insider|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref>

In January 2017, Trump issued an [[Executive Order 13769|executive order banning the entry of all Iraqi citizens, as well as citizens of six other countries]]. After sharp criticism, public protests, and lawsuits against the executive order, Trump relaxed the travel restrictions somewhat and dropped Iraq from the list of non-entry countries in March 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-immigration-idUSKBN15E1DE|title=Fired: Trump dumps top lawyer who defied immigration order|last=Rampton |first=Roberta|work=Reuters|access-date=October 21, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/20/travel/after-travel-ban-declining-interest-trips-to-united-states.html|title=After Travel Ban, Interest in Trips to U.S. Declines|work=The New York Times |date=February 20, 2017 |access-date=October 21, 2018|language=en|last1=Vora |first1=Shivani }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/06/health/trump-travel-ban-doctors.html|title=Trump's Travel Ban, Aimed at Terrorists, Has Blocked Doctors|work=The New York Times |date=February 6, 2017 |access-date=October 21, 2018|language=en|last1=Jr |first1=Donald G. Mcneil }}</ref>

====Syria====
{{See also|Syria–United States relations#Under President Donald Trump|Syrian civil war|American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war|Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act}}
In July 2017, on the advice of then-[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] [[Director of the Central Intelligence Agency|director]] [[Mike Pompeo]], Trump ordered a "phasing out" of the [[Timber Sycamore|CIA's support for anti-Assad Syrian rebels]] during the [[Syrian civil war|Syrian Civil War]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jaffe|first1=Greg|last2=Entous|first2=Adam|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-ends-covert-cia-program-to-arm-anti-assad-rebels-in-syria-a-move-sought-by-moscow/2017/07/19/b6821a62-6beb-11e7-96ab-5f38140b38cc_story.html|title=Trump ends covert CIA program to arm anti-Assad rebels in Syria, a move sought by Moscow|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 19, 2017|access-date=July 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/02/world/middleeast/cia-syria-rebel-arm-train-trump.html|title=Behind the Sudden Death of a $1 Billion Secret C.I.A. War in Syria|first1=Mark|last1=Mazzetti|first2=Adam|last2=Goldman|first3=Michael S.|last3=Schmidt|work=The New York Times |date=August 2, 2017|access-date=January 6, 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

On October 9, 2019, [[Turkey]] [[2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria|launched an offensive]] into northern Syria against the [[Kurds|Kurdish]]-led [[Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria]] (Rojava) after Trump shifted his personal support from the [[Kurds in Syria|Syrian Kurds]] to Turkey.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/10/09/turkey-launches-an-attack-on-northern-syria?cid1=cust/dailypicks1/n/bl/n/2019109n/owned/n/n/dailypicks1/n/n/NA/322032/n|title=Turkey launches an attack on northern Syria|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=October 9, 2019|issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

In November 2019, Trump approved a mission for U.S. troops to secure the oil fields in eastern Syria.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baldor |first1=Lolita |title=Trump OKs wider Syria oil mission, raising legal questions |url=https://apnews.com/251062e322ab4bba99251fe59c90540a |access-date=June 14, 2020 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=November 6, 2019}}</ref> Later that month, Trump said that the remaining American troops in Syria were there "only for the oil", and that the U.S. was "keeping the oil". Seizing oil without local government permission would be a war crime of [[Looting|pillage]], but the U.S. military confirmed it was coordinating with Rojava and the [[Syrian Democratic Forces]] that controlled the area.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tharoor |first1=Ishaan |title=Trump's perplexing insistence on 'keeping' Middle Eastern oil |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/11/15/trumps-perplexing-insistence-keeping-middle-eastern-oil/ |access-date=June 14, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 15, 2019}}</ref>

===== Responses to chemical weapons in Syria =====
[[File:Statement by President Trump on Syria.webm|thumb|President Trump addresses the nation after authorizing missile strikes in response to the [[Khan Shaykhun chemical attack]] in Syria, April 6, 2017]]
[[File:President Trump Delivers an Address to the Nation.webm|thumb|President Trump addresses the nation after authorizing missile strikes in response to the [[Douma chemical attack]] in Syria, April 13, 2018]]
{{Further|2017 Shayrat missile strike|April 2018 missile strikes against Syria}}
On April 7, 2017, Trump ordered the [[United States Navy]] to [[2017 Shayrat missile strike|launch cruise missiles]] at [[Shayrat Air Base]] in response to the [[Khan Shaykhun chemical attack]]. The missile attack had wide international support<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://time.com/4730489/us-air-strike-world-reacts/|title=How the World Reacted to President Donald Trump's Air Strike On Syria|magazine=Time|access-date=April 7, 2017}}</ref> and was highly praised by the majority of Republicans as well as Democratic senators.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/trump-congress-syria-lawful|title=Only A Handful Of Senators Question Trump's Unilateral Bombing Of Syria|work=Talking Points Memo|access-date=April 7, 2017}}</ref> The move drew criticism from Russia, whom the United States had warned in advance about the attack. Although Russian anti-missile defenses such as [[S-300 missile system|S-300's]] failed to deter the missile attack, Russian forces suffered minimal damage, as the United States had deliberately avoided striking areas of the base used by Russia.<ref name="April17SyriaStrike">{{cite news|last1=Lamothe|first1=Dan|last2=Ryan|first2=Missy|last3=Gibbons-Neff|first3=Thomas|title=U.S. strikes Syrian military airfield in first direct assault on Bashar al-Assad's government|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-weighing-military-options-following-chemical-weapons-attack-in-syria/2017/04/06/0c59603a-1ae8-11e7-9887-1a5314b56a08_story.html|access-date=April 7, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 7, 2017}}</ref> Russian Prime Minister [[Dmitry Medvedev]] criticized the strike as "good news for terrorists".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hensch|first1=Mark|title=Russian PM: Moscow, US on 'the verge of a military clash'|url=http://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/327823-russian-pm-moscow-us-near-military-clash|work=The Hill|date=April 7, 2017}}</ref>

Trump later addressed the nation from [[Mar-a-Lago]] in Florida on the strikes on Syria in April 2017, where he stated "I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched. It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons. There can be no dispute that Syria used banned [[Syria chemical weapons program|chemical weapons]], violated its obligations under the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]] and ignored the urging of the U.N. Security Council. Years of previous attempts at changing Assad's behavior have all failed and failed very dramatically. As a result the refugee crisis continues to deepen and the region continues to destabilize, threatening the United States and its allies. Tonight I call on all civilized nations to join us in seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria and also to end terrorism of all kinds and all types".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/trump-syria-statement-transcript-236976|title=Full transcript: Trump statement on Syria strikes|website=www.politico.com|date=April 6, 2017|access-date=July 22, 2018}}</ref>

According to investigative journalist [[Bob Woodward]], Trump had ordered his defense secretary [[Jim Mattis|James Mattis]] to assassinate Syrian president [[Bashar al-Assad]] after the chemical attack in April 2017, but Mattis declined; Trump denied doing so.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45425413|title=Donald Trump denies discussing assassination of Syria's Assad|website=www.bbc.com|date=September 5, 2018|access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref>

In response to the [[Douma chemical attack]] in Syria, in April 2018, Trump ordered [[April 2018 missile strikes against Syria|missile strikes]] against the Assad regime targeting alleged chemical weapons compounds; the U.S. led strikes were carried out along with the United Kingdom and France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-14/us-to-strike-syria-in-response-to-chemical-weapons-attack/9658900|title='Mission accomplished': Donald Trump praises air strikes on Syria|date=April 14, 2018|website=ABC News|access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref>

Trump addressed the nation from the White House on April 13, 2018, of the strikes against Assad's chemical weapon compounds in Syria, stating "I ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. A combined operation with the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom is now underway. We thank them both." "the Assad regime again deployed chemical weapons to slaughter innocent civilians this time, in the town of Douma, near the Syrian capital of Damascus.  This massacre was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-trump-syria/|title=Statement by President Trump on Syria|date=April 13, 2018|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref>

Announcing troop withdrawal from Syria in December 2018, Trump stated on Twitter that defeating ISIL was "my only reason" for a military presence in Syria,<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/12/19/donald-trump-orders-immediate-full-withdrawal-us-troops-syria/|title=Donald Trump orders immediate and full withdrawal of US troops from Syria|last=Sanchez|first=Raf|date=December 19, 2018|work=The Telegraph|access-date=December 20, 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> seemingly disregarding the previous missions to respond to Assad's use of chemical weapons.

====Responses to the Islamic State====
{{See also|International military intervention against the Islamic State}}

=====During the campaign=====
During the presidential campaign in 2015, Trump frequently changed his positions on how to defeat the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL).<ref name="AFullList">{{Cite web|author=Jane C. Timm|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/full-list-donald-trump-s-rapidly-changing-policy-positions-n547801|title=Here Are All of Donald Trump's Flip-Flops on Big Issues|work=NBC News|date=November 7, 2016}}</ref>

In June 2015, when asked how he would deal with Iraq's condemnation of strikes on their oil fields, Trump replied that Iraq is a corrupt country that is not deserving of his respect<ref name="foxnews_June15_2015" /> and that he would "bomb the hell" out of [[Oil reserves in Iraq|Iraqi oil fields]] controlled by ISIL.<ref name="foxnews_June15_2015" /><ref name="CNN_July10_2015">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/10/politics/donald-trump-fact-check-bomb-oil-fields-iraq/|title=Military analysts: Donald Trump's plan to bomb Iraq's oil fields not a good one|last=Diamond |first= Jeremy|date=July 10, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2015|publisher=CNN}}</ref>

After formally announcing his candidacy on June 16, 2015, Trump's first interview was with [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]] on ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]'' the following day.<ref name="foxnews_June15_2015">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2015/06/17/donald-trump-running-for-president/ |title=Donald Trump running for President |work=The O'Reilly Factor |date=June 17, 2015 |access-date=September 29, 2015}}</ref> He suggested a hands-off approach to the [[Syrian civil war|Syrian Civil War]]:<ref name="foxnews_June15_2015" /> "Iran and Russia are protecting Syria and it's sort of amazing that we're in there fighting ISIS in Syria so we're helping the head of Syria [[Bashar al-Assad]] who is not supposed to be our friend although he looks a lot better than some of our so-called friends."<ref name="foxnews_June15_2015" /> Instead of fighting ISIL in Syria, Trump suggested "maybe Syria should be a free zone for ISIS, let them fight and then you pick up the remnants."<ref name="foxnews_June15_2015" />

In a Republican primary debate on November 10, 2015, Trump said he "got to know [[Vladimir Putin]] very well because we were both on '[[60 Minutes]]', we were stable mates, we did well that night." Trump said he approved of the [[Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war|Russian military intervention in Syria]], stating: "If Putin wants to knock the hell out of ISIS, I'm all for it 100 percent and I can't understand how anybody would be against that ... He's going in and we can go in and everybody should go in."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/national/republicans-gang-trump-latest-debate |title=Trump endorses Putin's intervention in Syria |last1=Holland |first1= Steve|last2=Stephenson |first2= Emily|date=November 10, 2015 |access-date=November 10, 2015 |agency=Reuters}}</ref> During his speech at the [[Oklahoma State Fair]], Trump accused his opponents of wanting to "start [[World War III]] over [[Syria]]."<ref name="washingtonpost 2015_09_25">{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/25/donald-trump-let-russia-fight-the-islamic-state-in-syria/ |title=Donald Trump: Let Russia fight the Islamic State in Syria |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 25, 2015|last=Johnson |first= Jenna}}</ref>

In the aftermath of the [[November 2015 Paris attacks]] committed by ISIL, Trump reiterated his position on ISIL, as he had stated the day before the attack that he would "bomb the shit out of 'em"<ref name="businessinsideroil" /> and that he would "blow up the [oil] pipes, I'd blow up the refineries, and you know what, you'll get [[ExxonMobil|Exxon]] to come in there in two months... and I'd take the oil."<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWejiXvd-P8|title=Donald Trump on ISIS – "I would bomb the SHIT out of 'em!"|date=November 12, 2015|via=YouTube}}</ref> Trump said that, to combat ISIL, "I would find you a proper general. I would find a [[George S. Patton|Patton]] or a [[Douglas MacArthur|MacArthur]]. I would hit them so hard your head would spin."<ref name="foxnews_June15_2015" /> Trump said in an interview with [[Anderson Cooper]] the day of the Paris attacks: "There is no Iraq. Their leaders are corrupt."<ref name="businessinsideroil">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-bomb-isis-2015-11|title=DONALD TRUMP: 'I would bomb the s--- out of' ISIS|last1=Engel|first1=Pamela|website=Business Insider|access-date=November 23, 2015}}</ref> In the March 11, 2016, CNN Republican presidential debate, he said he would send ground troops to fight ISIL, saying: "We really have no choice. We have to knock out ISIS."<ref name=":7">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/10/politics/republican-debate-transcript-full-text/index.html|title=Transcript of Republican debate in Miami, full text|website=CNN|access-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref>

In a 2015 interview, Trump stated "You have to take out their families, when you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families. ... When they say they don't care about their lives, you have to take out their families." When pressed on what "take out" meant, Trump said the U.S. should "wipe out their homes" and "where they came from."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/03/politics/donald-trump-dodges-questions-terrorist-families/ |title=Donald Trump dodges on killing terrorist families  |first=Jeremy |last=Diamond |date=December 4, 2015 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Critics noted that the intentional targeting of [[non-combatant]]s is a violation of the [[Geneva Conventions]] and other aspects of the international [[law of war]].<ref name="PolitiFact">{{cite web |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/dec/17/rand-paul/rand-pauls-right-geneva-conventions-bar-donald-tru/ |title=Geneva Conventions bar Donald Trump's idea of killing terrorists' families, as Rand Paul says |publisher=PolitiFact |access-date=January 6, 2016}}</ref> Jonathan Russell, head of policy for the anti-radicalization think tank [[Quilliam (think tank)|Quilliam]], warned that Trump's "anti-Muslim rhetoric" helps ISIL's "narrative", saying "Trump will contribute to [[Islamism|Islamist]] radicalization as his comments will make Muslims feel unwelcome in America."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/08/opinions/trump-isis/|title=Why Trump is playing right into ISIS' hands|date=December 9, 2015|publisher=CNN|author=Jonathan Russell}}</ref>

During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly criticized the [[Battle of Mosul (2016–17)|battle to liberate Mosul]] from ISIL control, saying that the United States is "not going to benefit" from dislodging ISIL from the Iraqi city. Trump repeatedly asserted that U.S. and Iraqi military leaders should have used "the element of surprise" to attack Mosul rather than announcing plans beforehand. He also said that U.S. military planners were "a group of losers" for not doing so.<ref name="DiamondMosulBattle">Jeremy Diamond, [http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/05/politics/donald-trump-mosul/ Trump continues to knock Mosul offensive, calls leaders 'group of losers'], CNN (November 7, 2016).</ref><ref>Ryan Browne, [http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/politics/trump-pentagon-mosul-differ/ Donald Trump, Pentagon differ on Mosul fight's success], CNN (October 31, 2016).</ref> Some U.S. military officials openly rebuked Trump's comments, saying that "it is nearly impossible to move tens of thousands of troops into position without alerting the enemy" and asserting that it was vital to warn civilians of impending military action.<ref name="DiamondMosulBattle"/>

=====After inauguration=====
======2017======
[[File:Donald Trump meets with King Hamed bin Issa of Bahrain, May 2017.jpg|thumb|Trump meets with [[Bahrain]]'s king [[Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]] in May 2017]]
With the arrival of the Trump administration, a change in policy was instituted regarding the disclosure of troop levels abroad as well as the timing of any additional deployments to the Middle East, following through on his campaign promises to utilize the "element of surprise". By April 2017,<ref name="latimes.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-trump-deployment-20170330-story.html|title=Trump administration stops disclosing troop deployments in Iraq and Syria|first=W. J.|last=Hennigan|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref> there had been two non-disclosed troop deployments in the month of March: a deployment of 400 U.S. Marines to [[Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)|northern Syria]] and 300 U.S. Army paratroopers to the area around [[Mosul|Mosul, Iraq]]. By April 2, 2017, the U.S. troop level, or "force management level" — the number of full-time troops deployed, was around 5,200 in Iraq and 500 in Syria, with about 1,000 more troops there on a temporary basis.<ref name="latimes.com"/>

The Syria deployment put more conventional U.S. troops on a front that, until then, had primarily used [[United States special operations forces|special operations]] units. The 400 Marines were part of the [[11th Marine Expeditionary Unit|11th MEU]] from the Battalion Landing Team [[1st Battalion, 4th Marines]]. They manned an artillery battery whilst additional infantrymen from the unit provided security and resupplies were handled by part of the expeditionary force's combat logistics element.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2017/03/09/more-troops-in-syria-trump-orders/|title=More troops in Syria: Trump orders boots on the ground to battle ISIS|work=Salon|date=March 10, 2017}}</ref>

In August 2017, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL [[Brett McGurk|Brett H. McGurk]] stated that the Trump administration had "dramatically accelerated" the [[Operation Inherent Resolve|U.S.–led campaign against ISIL]], citing estimates that almost one-third of the territory taken from ISIL "has been won in the last six months." McGurk favorably cited "steps President Trump has taken, including delegating decision–making authority from the White House to commanders in the field."<ref name=ISIS>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/under-trump-gains-against-isis-have-dramatically-accelerated/2017/08/04/8ad29d40-7958-11e7-8f39-eeb7d3a2d304_story.html?nid|title=Under Trump, gains against ISIS have 'dramatically accelerated'|last=DeYoung|first=Karen|date=August 4, 2017|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 8, 2017}}</ref>

Some right-wing populist media figures who supported Trump during the election criticized his apparent policy reversal on the Middle East after the increased anti-ISIL commitment.<ref name="CNNLabott">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/07/politics/donald-trump-syria-populist-support/index.html|title=After Syria strike, populist supporters abandon Trump at home and abroad|last1=Labott|first1=Elise|date=April 8, 2017|access-date=April 8, 2017|publisher=CNN|last2=Gaouette|first2=Nicole}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://wjla.com/news/nation-world/after-syria-strike-some-trump-supporters-doubt-his-america-first-priorities|title=After Syria strike, some Trump supporters doubt his 'America First' priorities|date=April 7, 2017|work=[[WJLA-TV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/supporters-donald-trump-twitter-are-not-happy-about-syria-airstrikes-347730596|title=Trump supporters are not happy about missile strikes on Syria|last1=Anthony|first1=Charles|date=April 7, 2017|access-date=April 9, 2017|publisher=Middle East Eye}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/salvadorhernandez/spencer-protests-trump-on-syria|title=Alt-Right And White Nationalist Supporters Led Tense Protests Against Trump's Airstrikes on Syria|last1=Hern|first1=Salvador|last2=Reporter|first2=ez BuzzFeed News|website=BuzzFeed|date=April 9, 2017 |access-date=April 17, 2017}}</ref> [[Ann Coulter]] stated that Trump "campaigned on not getting involved in Mideast" arguing that it was one of the reasons many voted for him.<ref name="CNNLabott" />

====== 2018 ======
{{Further|American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war#2019 drawdown of U.S. ground forces}}
{{See also|Eastern Syria insurgency}}
On December 11, 2018, anti-ISIL envoy [[Brett McGurk]] indicated in a press briefing that the war against ISIL in Syria was not over, stating, "It would be reckless if we were just to say, well, the physical caliphate is defeated, so we can just leave now."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/world/middleeast/syria-kurds-isis-us.html|title=U.S. Exit Seen as a Betrayal of the Kurds, and a Boon for ISIS|first=Rod|last=Nordland|work=The New York Times |date=December 19, 2018|access-date=December 22, 2018|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> On December 17, 2018, [[James Franklin Jeffrey|James Jeffrey]], the United States Special Representative for Syria Engagement, stated in an address to the [[Atlantic Council]] that the United States would remain in Syria "a very long time."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/us/politics/trump-syria-withdrawal-obama.html|title=A Strategy of Retreat in Syria, With Echoes of Obama|first=David E.|last=Sanger|work=The New York Times |date=December 19, 2018|access-date=December 22, 2018|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

On December 19, Trump, declaring "we have won against ISIS," unilaterally announced a "total" withdrawal of the 2,000–2,500 U.S. troops in Syria. The announcement was made on Twitter and the decision was apparently made without prior consultation with Congress, military commanders, civilian advisors, or allies. Although no timetable was provided at the time, press secretary [[Sarah Sanders]] indicated that the withdrawal had been ordered to begin. The Pentagon and State Department tried to change Trump's mind on the decision, with several of his congressional and political allies expressing concerns about the sudden move, specifically that it would "hand control of the region" to Russia and Iran, and "abandon" America's Kurdish allies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/us/politics/trump-syria-turkey-troop-withdrawal.html|title=Trump Withdraws U.S. Forces From Syria, Declaring 'We Have Won Against ISIS'|first1=Mark|last1=Landler|first2=Helene|last2=Cooper|first3=Eric|last3=Schmitt|date=December 19, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trumps-decision-to-withdraw-us-troops-from-syria-startles-aides-and-allies/2018/12/19/80dd8ab2-03b2-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html|title=Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria startles aides and allies|author=Karen DeYoung|date=December 19, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 20, 2018}}</ref> [[Brian Kilmeade]] of the ''[[Fox & Friends]]'' news program, which Trump himself often watches, sharply criticized Trump's decision as "totally irresponsible", adding "nobody thinks ISIS is defeated" and that the president had "blindsided" the Pentagon and State Department.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/12/20/fox-friends-host-rips-trump-over-border-chaos-irresponsible-syria-withdrawal/|title='Fox & Friends' host rips Trump over border 'chaos' and 'irresponsible' Syria withdrawal|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

Immediately after Trump's announcement, Defense Secretary [[Jim Mattis]] unsuccessfully tried persuading Trump to reconsider, then informed the president on December 20 he would resign from his post.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/us/politics/jim-mattis-defense-secretary-trump.html|title=Jim Mattis Resigns Over Trump's Order to Withdraw Troops From Syria, Officials Say|first=Helene|last=Cooper|date=December 20, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 20, 2018}}</ref> Mattis asked to continue in his position through February to continue defending "the Department's interests" at Congressional and NATO meetings while Trump selected a successor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/20/politics/james-mattis-resignation-letter-doc/index.html|title=READ: James Mattis' resignation letter|date=December 21, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=December 23, 2018}}</ref> Two days later, McGurk announced he was also exiting as a consequence of Trump's decision. (McGurk had previously said he would leave in February, but as the result of the Syria withdrawal and Mattis' departure, he moved his own departure earlier to December 31.)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/22/world/brett-mcgurk-isis-resign.html|title=Splitting With Trump Over Syria, American Leading ISIS Fight Steps Down|last1=Callimachi|first1=Rukmini|last2=Schmitt|first2=Eric|work=The New York Times |date=December 22, 2018|via=NYTimes.com|access-date=December 22, 2018}}</ref> In response, Trump wrote that he did not know McGurk and questioned if McGurk was a "grandstander".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brennan |first1=Margaret |title=Brett McGurk, top U.S. envoy in ISIS fight, resigns |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brett-mcgurk-top-u-s-envoy-in-isis-fight-to-quit/ |work=[[CBS News]] |date=December 22, 2018 |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Horton |first1=Alex |title='Very telling' that Trump didn't know his own anti-ISIS point man, former official says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2018/12/23/its-very-telling-trump-didnt-know-his-own-anti-isis-point-man-former-official-says |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref>

On December 23, Trump announced on Twitter that Deputy Secretary of Defense [[Patrick M. Shanahan|Patrick Shanahan]] would become Acting Secretary of Defense effective January 1, thereby replacing Mattis two months' earlier than Mattis' requested resignation date.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/23/politics/james-mattis-trump-shanahan/index.html|title=Trump says Mattis to leave by end of year, announces new acting secretary of defense|last1=Watkins|first1=Eli|date=December 23, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=December 23, 2018|last2=Starr|first2=Barbara}}</ref> On December 30, Senator [[Lindsey Graham]], a known Congressional confidant of the president, said that the decision was "a stain on the honor of the United States," and that while he agrees that it's possible to reduce the American footprint in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq, the US must keep troops in Syria to ensure ISIL can't regroup. Graham also said that he and a group of generals would urge Trump to reconsider his withdrawal plans during a luncheon later that day.<ref>{{cite news|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/30/politics/lindsey-graham-isis-syria-trump/index.html|title=Graham: Withdrawal of US troops in Syria could lead to Kurdish deaths|date=December 30, 2018}}</ref>

======2019======
{{Further|Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi}}
One week after this announcement, Trump asserted he would not approve any extension of the American deployment in Syria.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/bolton-promises-no-troop-withdrawal-from-syria-until-isis-contained-kurds-safety-guaranteed/2019/01/06/ee219bba-11c5-11e9-b6ad-9cfd62dbb0a8_story.html|title=Contradicting Trump, Bolton says no withdrawal from Syria until ISIS destroyed, Kurds' safety guaranteed|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> On January 6, 2019, national security advisor [[John Bolton]] added conditions to the pullout, announcing America would remain in Syria until ISIL is eradicated and until Turkey guarantees it would not strike America's Kurdish allies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/06/world/middleeast/bolton-syria-pullout.html|title=Bolton Puts Conditions on Syria Withdrawal, Suggesting a Delay of Months or Years|first1=David E.|last1=Sanger|first2=Noah|last2=Weiland|first3=Eric|last3=Schmitt|newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 6, 2019|access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref>

On February 22, 2019, the administration stated that instead of the initially announced "total" pullout, 400 U.S. troops would remain in Syria indefinitely to serve as a [[Contingency plan|contingency]] force. About 200 of those would be a part of a larger multinational "observer force".<ref>{{cite news|work=Fox News|date=February 22, 2019|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-pushes-nato-allies-to-join-observer-force-in-syria|title=US pushes NATO allies to join observer force in Syria}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-says-he-agrees-100-percent-keeping-u-s-troops-n979466|title=Trump says he agrees '100%' with keeping U.S. troops in Syria|website=NBC News|date=March 5, 2019 |language=en|access-date=March 5, 2019}}</ref> Press secretary [[Sarah Sanders]] initially characterized the troops as "[[Peacekeeping|peacekeepers]]", although a senior administration official later disputed that label as the term technically implied restricted [[rules of engagement]]. The shift from a total to a partial withdrawal came after [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] [[Joseph Dunford]] strongly vouched for it as French and British allies declined to remain in Syria unless America did. After the announcement, ''The New York Times'' quoted officials as describing a "surreal atmosphere" at the Pentagon among military leaders overseeing Syrian policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/world/middleeast/trump-troops-syria-.html|title=In Latest Shift, Trump Agrees to Leave 400 Troops in Syria|first1=Mark|last1=Landler|first2=Helene|last2=Cooper|newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> A bipartisan group of members of Congress wrote Trump a letter on February 22 endorsing a "small American stabilizing force" in Syria. Trump responded by writing directly on the letter, "I agree 100%. ALL is being done."<ref name=":10" />

On February 28, while speaking to troops at [[Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson|Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson]] in [[Alaska]] during a refueling stop from [[2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit|Hanoi]], Trump asserted that the Islamic State had lost "100 percent" of its territory that it once controlled in Syria. The assertion was false, as the [[Battle of Baghuz Fawqani]] was still ongoing, and the Islamic State still held territory in the [[Syrian Desert]]<ref>{{cite news|work=Military Time|date=February 28, 2018|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/03/01/trump-wrongly-says-islamic-state-holds-no-land-in-syria/|title=Trump wrongly says Islamic State holds no land in Syria}}</ref> as well as the town of [[Al-Baghuz Fawqani]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/the-latest-sdf-official-500-surrender-in-eastern-syria|title=The Latest: SDF official: 500 surrender in eastern Syria|last=Associated Press|date=March 4, 2019|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=March 5, 2019}}</ref>

On March 22, 2019, in response to developments in the [[Battle of Baghuz Fawqani]], where ISIL was still putting up stubborn resistance to the SDF, Trump showed reporters two maps comparing the extents of the Islamic State's occupation of Syria and Iraq, stating "Here's ISIS on Election Day. Here's ISIS right now." The "election day" map was actually from 2014, when the Islamic State was at its greatest territorial extent, and just as the U.S.-led coalition had begun pushing back against ISIL.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/464dc18a9a0e475a8d132d1fda0d2e80|title=Islamic State driven from last Syria territory, Trump says|first1=Deb|last1=Riechmann|first2=Lolita C.|last2=Baldor|date=March 22, 2019|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> The battle concluded on March 23, the next day, with the SDF militia's victory over ISIL. Trump administration officials and allies cautiously hailed the territorial collapse of the Islamic State in Syria while stressing the need to keep a presence in the country to keep up pressure and to stop a territorial resurgence of the Islamic State.<ref name=collapse>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/white-house-declares-islamic-state-100-percent-defeated-in-syria/2019/03/22/ce39dd02-4cbd-11e9-9663-00ac73f49662_story.html|date=March 22, 2019|access-date=March 30, 2019|title=White House declares end to Islamic State, but fighting grinds on}}</ref>

[[File:President Trump Watches as U.S. Special Operations Forces Close in on ISIS Leader (48967991042).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|President Trump, with key civilian and military officials, observe the [[Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi|Barisha raid]] against ISIL in the White House [[Situation Room]], October 26, 2019]]
[[File:President Trump Delivers Remarks October 27 2019.webm|thumb|right|upright=1.2|President Trump announces the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, October 27, 2019]]
From 2011, a reward of $10 million was offered for [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]], the leader of the Islamic State, by the [[United States Department of State|US State Department]], increasing to $25 million in 2017,<ref name="bbc_reward">{{cite news |title=Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: IS leader 'dead after US raid' in Syria |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-50200339 |access-date=October 27, 2019 |website=[[BBC]] |date=October 27, 2017}}</ref> for [[Informant|information]] or [[Military intelligence#The intelligence process|intelligence]] on his whereabouts to enable capture, dead or alive.<ref name="aljazeera1">{{cite news |title=Who was ISIL's self-proclaimed leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/isil-proclaimed-leader-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-191027173054546.html |access-date=October 27, 2019 |agency=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al-Jazeera]] |date=October 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name="telegraph_25mill">{{cite news |last1=Ensor |first1=Josie |title=Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'died like a dog and coward' in US special forces raid, says Donald Trump |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/27/chief-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-reportedly-killed-us-forces/ |access-date=October 27, 2019 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|location=London, England|date=October 27, 2019}}</ref> On October 27, 2019, he killed himself and two children by detonating a [[Explosive belt|suicide vest]] during the [[Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi|Barisha raid]] conducted by the US [[Delta Force]] in Syria's northwestern [[Idlib Governorate|Idlib Province]]. Trump later announced the death, stating that al-Baghdadi "died after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming all the way",<ref name="White House PR on death">{{Cite press release |title=Statement from the President on the Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi |date=October 27, 2019|via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-death-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi/}}</ref> despite only having seen drone footage without audio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hillreporter.com/general-milley-i-dont-know-where-trump-got-whimpering-and-crying-story-from-49571|title=General Milley: I Don't Know Where Trump got "Whimpering and Crying" Story From|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031203822/https://hillreporter.com/general-milley-i-dont-know-where-trump-got-whimpering-and-crying-story-from-49571|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/01/us/politics/trump-isis-leader-baghdadi.html|title=The 'Whimpering' Terrorist Only Trump Seems to Have Heard (Published 2019)|first1=Peter|last1=Baker|first2=Eric|last2=Schmitt|newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 2, 2019}}</ref>

======Syrian Kurdistan======
In October 2019, Trump ordered the Pentagon to withdraw U.S. troops from northeastern Syria to allow Turkey to conduct a [[2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria|planned military operation]] against [[Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria]] and the Kurdish-led [[Syrian Democratic Forces]], which had been supporting the U.S. against ISIL [[American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war|since 2014]].<ref name = aljazeera>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/white-house-turkey-military-operation-northern-syria-191007034354242.html|title=US troops start pullout in Syria as Turkey prepares operation|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref><ref name = wsj>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-begins-pullback-from-northern-syria-clearing-way-for-turkish-offensive-11570439862|title=U.S. Begins Pullback From Northern Syria, Clearing Way for Turkish Offensive|last=Nissenbaum|first=Dion|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=October 7, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> The sudden announcement on the night of October 6 came after a Trump telephone call with Turkish President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan|Recep Tayyip Erdogan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/US-Troops-Start-Pullout-From-Along-Turkeys-Border-in-Syria-562398651.html|title=Trump's Syria Withdrawal Announcement Draws Kurdish, GOP Condemnation|date=October 7, 2019|work=NBC News 10|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> U.S. troops reportedly began withdrawing from some positions in northern Syria on October 7.

Similar to their reaction to Trump's initial December 2018 withdrawal announcement, Pentagon officials claimed they were "completely blindsided" by the order and drew concerns about the apparent sudden reneging of the U.S.'s alliance with the [[Kurds in Syria|Syrian Kurds]].<ref name = fox>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/turkey-announces-incursion-of-northeast-syria-us-backed-kurds-have-vowed-all-out-war|title=Trump pulls back troops from northern Syria ahead of Turkish assault, Pentagon officials 'blindsided'|last=DeMarche|first=Edmund|date=October 6, 2019|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref><ref name = hill>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/464656-trump-threatens-to-punish-turkey-if-it-does-anything-off-limits|title=Trump threatens to punish Turkey if it does anything 'off limits'|last=Conradis|first=Brandon|date=October 7, 2019|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> The withdrawal was harshly criticized by Congress members of both parties, including Republicans who usually defend Trump. Senator [[Lindsey Graham]] called the decision "shortsighted and irresponsible" and threatened to introduce a Senate resolution opposing the pullout. Senator [[Mitch McConnell]] said "A precipitous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime."<ref name = graham>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/07/trump-turkey-syria-invasion-037052|title=Republicans unload on Trump for Syria shift when he needs them most|last=Forgey|first=Quint|date=October 7, 2019|work=Politico|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref>

Trump defended his withdrawal order, stating that the [[Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present)|Kurdish-Turkish conflict]] "has nothing to do with us" and described the situation as "strategically brilliant" for the U.S.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |last2=Edmondson |first2=Katie |title=Trump Lashes Out on Syria as Republicans Rebuke Him in House Vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/world/middleeast/trump-erdogan-turkey-syria-kurds.html |access-date=October 18, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 16, 2019}}</ref> According to [[Jim Sciutto]]'s book ''The Madman Theory'', the former Deputy Secretary of Defense for the Middle East [[Michael Patrick Mulroy|Mick Mulroy]] said that the decision ran contrary to one of the main tenants of the [[National Defense Strategy (United States)|National Defense Strategy]] of building and maintaining partners, that the [[People's Protection Units|YPG]] elements of the SDF were only ones capable of providing the combat leadership needed to defeat ISIL, and that the Commander of the SDF, General [[Mazloum Abdi]], sent a letter to U.S. service members essentially absolving them of the decision of Trump, as he knew they would never have abandoned them.<ref name="auto1"/>

Trump expounded on his opinion of the Kurds while defending his decision to withdraw American troops, arguing that the U.S.'s commitment to them is overblown and stating that they "didn't help us in the [[World War II|Second World War]], they didn't help us with [[Operation Overlord|Normandy]] as an example".<ref name=normandy>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Maanvi |title=Trump defends Syria decision by saying Kurds 'didn't help us with Normandy' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/09/trump-syria-kurds-normandy |access-date=October 10, 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=October 9, 2019}}</ref> Trump continued that "Alliances are very easy. But our alliances have taken advantage of us"<ref name=normandy/> and decried the Kurds as "no angels".<ref name="Vasquez">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Zachary |last2=Vasquez |first2=Meghan |title=Trump claims Turkish incursion into Syria 'has nothing to do with us' and Kurds are 'not angels' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/16/politics/donald-trump-turkey-syria-pence-pompeo/index.html |access-date=October 18, 2019 |work=[[CNN]] |date=October 16, 2019}}</ref> According to media [[Fact-checking|fact checking]], Trump made false or misleading statements while defending his decision-making, such as suggesting that the [[Kurdistan Workers' Party]] (PKK)—which Turkey, the [[European Union|EU]], the [[United Kingdom|UK]], Canada and [[Kurdistan Workers' Party#Designation as a terrorist group|other nations]] designate as a terrorist group—"is probably worse at terror and more of a terrorist threat in many ways than ISIS".<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite news |last1=Qiu |first1=Linda |title=Fact-Checking Trump on Syria, Erdogan and the Kurds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/us/politics/factcheck-trump-syria-kurds.html |access-date=October 18, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 16, 2019}}</ref>

According to ''[[The New York Times]]'', in 2018, ISIL conducted more than six times more attacks and more than 15 times more killings than the PKK, while the PKK's recorded attacks throughout its history are less than half of ISIL's, despite the PKK having existed for six times longer.<ref name="The New York Times"/> Amidst the U.S. withdrawal, he observed that the Kurds "are much safer right now", although Turkey had stated it had killed 150 Kurdish fighters by October 16, while the Kurds stated that almost 200,000 of their people had been displaced by the offensive at that point.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kertscher |first1=Tom |title=After attacks by Turkey, Trump falsely claims Kurds in Syria are much safer now |url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/oct/16/donald-trump/after-attacks-turkey-trump-falsely-claims-kurds-sy/ |access-date=October 18, 2019 |work=[[PolitiFact]] |date=October 16, 2019}}</ref> Trump also falsely accused the Kurds of having deliberately released ISIL militants from prisons.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baldor |first1=Lolita |title=Trump muddles facts on US Syria withdrawal |url=https://apnews.com/f95044ecc11843c9b78bdb86f6236382 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=October 17, 2019}}</ref>

On October 13, Trump ordered that the remaining ~1,000 U.S. troops in northern Syria also be withdrawn, but the [[Al-Tanf (U.S. military base)|al-Tanf]] base in southeastern Syria would remain garrisoned.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Liz|last1=Sly|first2=Louisa|last2=Loveluck|first3=Asser|last3=Khattab|first4=Sarah|last4=Dadouch |title=U. S.-allied Kurds strike deal to bring Assad's Syrian troops back into Kurdish areas |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-troops-withdraw-from-another-syrian-town-as-turkish-forces-block-supply-lines/2019/10/13/aab5fab8-ec5a-11e9-a329-7378fbfa1b63_story.html |access-date=October 18, 2019 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 13, 2019}}</ref> By November 2019, it had been announced that U.S. troops would remain in eastern Syria to work alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces in securing oil and gas fields against ISIL attacks. Trump approved and supported the mission, lauding that the U.S. "has secured the Oil, & the ISIS Fighters are double secured by Kurds & Turkey."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Trump-Follows-Up-On-His-Promise-To-Protect-Syrian-Oil.html|title=Trump Follows Up On His Promise To Protect Syrian Oil|work=OilPrice.com|date=December 16, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2019}}</ref>

===Israel and Israeli–Palestinian conflict===
{{See also|Israel–United States relations#Trump administration (2017–2021)|Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}
[[File:President Trump visit to Israel May 22-23, 2017 DSC 3982F (34847749905).jpg|thumb|President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] at [[Yad Vashem]], May 2017]]
[[File:Donald Trump and Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office, May 3, 2017 (1).jpg|thumb|Trump and President of the Palestinian Authority [[Mahmoud Abbas]], May 2017]]

====During the campaign====
Trump was critical of the Obama administration's treatment of Israel, stating that "Israel has been totally mistreated."<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Beckworth|first1=Ryan Teague|title=Read Donald Trump's Speech Criticizing Hillary Clinton on Foreign Policy|url=http://time.com/4378270/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-foreign-policy-speech-transcript/|access-date=March 25, 2017|magazine=Time|date=June 22, 2016}}</ref>

In December 2015, Trump said that he would not take sides in any Israeli-Palestinian agreement in order to be a neutral negotiator in the peace talks, although he also added that he was "totally pro-Israel."<ref name="Crowley, Michael">{{citation|title=Trump defies GOP litmus test on Israel|date=February 26, 2016|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/republican-2016-debate-donald-trump-israel-219836|last=Crowley |first= Michael|newspaper=Politico}}</ref> In December 2015, Trump told the [[Associated Press]] that an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord would depend very much upon Israel, remarking: "I have a real question as to whether or not both sides want to" come to a peace accord. "A lot will have to do with Israel and whether or not Israel wants to make the deal — whether or not Israel's willing to sacrifice certain things."<ref name="apisrael">{{citation |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/0e098fa7e6ec4900b08efad80c15348a/ap-conversation-trump-calls-mideast-peace-toughest-deal |title=AP Conversation: Trump says Mideast peace rests with Israel |agency=Associated Press |date=December 3, 2015}}</ref>

In March 2016, Trump criticized the [[Palestinian National Authority]] for the absence of peace, saying: "the Palestinian Authority has to recognize [[Legitimacy of the State of Israel|Israel's right to exist]] as a [[Jewish state]]. …[and they] have to stop the terror, stop the attacks, stop the teaching of hatred...they have to stop the teaching of children to aspire to grow up as terrorists, which is a real problem. Of course, the recognition of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state is also a major sticking point, with the current Palestinian leadership repeatedly refusing to meet that basic condition."<ref>[https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/trump-blames-palestinians-for-lack-of-two-state-solution/ "Trump Blames Palestinians for Lack of Two-State Solution"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217170718/https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/trump-blames-palestinians-for-lack-of-two-state-solution/ |date=February 17, 2021 }}, ''Israel Today'', March 28, 2016</ref>

In a speech to [[American Israel Public Affairs Committee|AIPAC]], Trump vowed that as president he will veto a [[United Nations]]-imposed Israel-Palestine peace agreement, stating: "When I'm president, believe me, I will veto any attempt by the U.N. to impose its will on the Jewish state. It will be vetoed 100 percent."<ref name="Read Donald Trump's Speech to AIPAC">[http://time.com/4267058/donald-trump-aipac-speech-transcript/ Read Donald Trump's Speech to AIPAC] Sarah Begley, Updated: March 21, 2016</ref> He added that "The Palestinians must come to the table knowing that the bond between the United States and Israel is absolutely, totally unbreakable."<ref name="Read Donald Trump's Speech to AIPAC"/>

Early in the campaign Trump refused to say whether he supported Israel's position that Jerusalem is its undivided capital.<ref name=apisrael /> But he later said on multiple occasions that if elected president he would move the [[Tel Aviv Branch Office of the Embassy of the United States|U.S. embassy in Israel]] from [[Tel Aviv]] to [[Jerusalem]], which he described as the "[[Status of Jerusalem|eternal capital of the Jewish people]]."<ref name="AIPACSpeechTranscript">Sarah Begley, [http://time.com/4267058/donald-trump-aipac-speech-transcript/ Read Donald Trump's Speech to AIPAC], ''Time'' (March 21, 2016).</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/US-Elections/Trump-pledges-to-move-US-embassy-from-Tel-Aviv-to-Jerusalem-442091 Trump pledges to move US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem], [[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] (January 20, 2016).</ref> He repeated this pledge after a meeting with [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] in September 2016<ref>[https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/readout-of-donald-j.-trumps-meeting-with-israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-ne Readout of Donald J. Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129074824/https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/readout-of-donald-j.-trumps-meeting-with-israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-ne |date=January 29, 2017 }}, Campaign press release, September 25, 2016.</ref>

During the campaign he broke with long-standing bipartisan U.S. policy that Israel should stop building additional [[Israeli settlement]]s in the [[West Bank]] as a precursor to negotiations with the Palestinians, saying that the Israelis "have to keep going" and "I don't think there should be a pause."<ref name="AzoulaySettlement">Orly Azoulay, [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4799194,00.html Trump: Israel should 'keep going' with settlements expansions], [[Ynetnews]] (May 4, 2016).</ref>

==== 2017–2021 Administration ====
{{See also|United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel|United States recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel|Trump peace plan}}
[[File:President Trump Welcome the Prime Minister of Israel to the White House, 25 March 2019.jpg|thumb|Trump, joined by Benjamin Netanyahu behind, signs the proclamation [[United States recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel|recognizing]] Israel's 1981 [[Golan Heights Law|annexation]] of the [[Golan Heights]], March 25, 2019]]
[[File:President Trump and The First Lady Participate in an Abraham Accords Signing Ceremony (50345629858).jpg|thumb|Trump at the White House [[Abraham Accords]] signing ceremony, September 15, 2020]]
In February 2017, Trump said that he could live with either a [[two-state solution]] or a [[one-state solution]] to the&nbsp;[[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/world/middleeast/trump-israel-two-state-solution.html|title=Palestinians Dismayed as U.S. Appears to Back Off Two-State Solution|last=Fisher|first=Ian|date=February 15, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 15, 2017|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> This represented a break with the previous bipartisan foreign policy consensus of support for the two-state solution.<ref name=":4" /> On May 22, 2017, Trump was the first U.S. president to visit the [[Western Wall]] in [[Jerusalem]], during his first foreign trip, visiting [[Saudi Arabia]], Israel, Italy, the [[Vatican City|Vatican]], and [[Belgium]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rafferty |first=Andrew |date=May 23, 2017 |title=Trump Becomes First Sitting U.S. President to Visit Western Wall |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/trumps-first-foreign-trip/trump-becomes-first-sitting-u-s-president-visit-western-wall-n762891 |work=[[NBC News]] |location=New York City |access-date=May 24, 2017}}<br />{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Luke |last2=Holland |first2=Steve |date=May 23, 2017 |title=In U.S. presidential first, Trump prays at Jerusalem's Western Wall |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel-wall-idUSKBN18I1V6 |work=[[Reuters]] |location=London, England|access-date=May 24, 2017}}<br />{{cite news |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |date=May 23, 2017 |title=Trump makes historic visit to Western Wall |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/22/politics/trump-israel-western-wall/ |publisher=[[CNN]] |location=Atlanta, Georgia |access-date=May 24, 2017}}</ref>

On December 6, 2017, Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, despite objections from Palestinian leaders. Trump added that he would initiate the process of establishing a new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, fulfilling the [[Jerusalem Embassy Act]], which had been passed by a bipartisan congressional supermajority in 1995.<ref name=recognition>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/trump-move-embassy-jerusalem-israel-reaction-281973 |last1=Nelson |first1=Louis |last2=Nussbaum |first2=Matthew |title=Trump says U.S. recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, despite global condemnation |website=Politico |date=December 6, 2017 |access-date=December 6, 2017}}</ref> The [[Embassy of the United States, Jerusalem|United States Embassy]] officially relocated to Jerusalem on May 14, 2018, to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the [[Israeli Declaration of Independence]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/17/after-us-embassy-move-to-jerusalem-more-countries-follow-its-lead.html|title=After US embassy makes controversial move to Jerusalem, more countries follow its lead|first=Ashley|last=Turner|date=May 17, 2018|website=CNBC}}</ref>

===== Israeli–Arab normalization agreements =====
{{Main|Abraham Accords}}
On August 13, 2020, the [[Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement]] was finalized between Israel and the [[United Arab Emirates]] (UAE). [[Jared Kushner]], the primary official negotiating the agreement, stated that the deal would make the Middle East more peaceful and hopeful, which would mean fewer American troops would need to be deployed in the region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53781360|title=Kushner: Israel-UAE treaty a 'massive change' for the region|date=August 14, 2020|website=BBC News|access-date=August 20, 2020}}</ref> [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Mike Pompeo]] said the deal was an important step toward stabilizing the region and was good for the whole world.<ref name="Pompeo">{{Cite web|url=https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2448036/israel-uae-agreement-important-step-middle-east-stability-says-pompeo|title=Israel-UAE Agreement Important Step for Middle East Stability, Says Pompeo|date=August 14, 2020|work=Asharq Al-Awsat|access-date=August 20, 2020}}</ref>

A joint statement issued by Trump, Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]], and [[Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan]], read: "This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region."<ref name="Dahan-Heller-Holland">{{cite news |title=Israel, UAE to normalize relations in shift in Mideast politics; West Bank annexations on hold |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-emirates-trump/with-trumps-help-israel-and-the-united-arab-emirates-reach-historic-deal-to-normalize-relations-idUSKCN25926W |first1=Maha |last1=El Dahan |first2=Jeffrey |last2=Heller |first3=Steve |last3=Holland|date=August 13, 2020|work=Reuters|access-date=August 13, 2020}}</ref> The UAE and Israel moved to establish full diplomatic ties after Israel agreed to suspend a [[Proposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank|plan to annex]] parts of the occupied [[Palestinian territories]] in the [[West Bank]].<ref>{{cite news |title=US delegation leads historic flight from Israel to UAE to discuss new ties |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-delegation-leads-historic-flight-israel-uae-discuss/story?id=72727105 |work=ABC News |date=August 31, 2020}}</ref> The UAE said it would continue to support the Palestinian people and that the agreement would maintain the prospect of a two-state solution between Israel and [[State of Palestine|Palestine]].

Subsequently, the term "Abraham Accords" was used to refer collectively to agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and [[Bahrain]], respectively (the [[Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Abraham Accords|url=https://www.state.gov/the-abraham-accords/|publisher=U.S. Department of States}}</ref> The Accords, which were later expanded via the [[Israel–Sudan normalization agreement]] and [[Israel–Morocco normalization agreement]], have been described by ''The New York Times'' and the ''Associated Press'' as one of Trump's most significant foreign policy accomplishments.<ref name=Jakes/><ref name=APAA/>

===Libya===
{{See also|Libya–United States relations|American intervention in Libya (2015–2019)}}
The Trump administration continued the Obama administration's [[American intervention in Libya (2015–2019)|counter-Islamic State operations]] in Libya.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/24/politics/us-strikes-libya-trump/index.html|title=US strikes Libya for first time under Trump|first=Ryan|last=Browne|website=CNN|date=September 24, 2017 }}</ref>

===Morocco===
{{Main|Morocco–United States relations}}
[[File:Secretary Pompeo meets with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita (30877038058).jpg|thumb|Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] with Moroccan Foreign Minister [[Nasser Bourita]], September 2018]]
On December 10, 2020, President Trump announced that the United States would officially recognize [[Morocco]]'s [[Political status of Western Sahara|claims]] over the [[Territorial dispute|disputed territory]] of [[Western Sahara]], as a result of Morocco agreeing to [[Israel–Morocco normalization agreement|normalize relations]] with Israel.<ref>{{cite web| title=Trump announces Israel and Morocco will normalize relations|url= https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/10/trump-announces-israel-morocco-to-normalize-relations.html|date=December 10, 2020|publisher=CNBC}}</ref> Morocco had [[Annexation|annexed]] the territory in 1975.<ref>{{cite news |title=Morocco latest country to normalise ties with Israel in US-brokered deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55266089 |work=BBC News |date=December 11, 2020}}</ref>

===Qatar===
{{Main|Qatar–United States relations}}
{{See also|Qatar diplomatic crisis}}
The Trump administration aimed to support efforts in fighting against states and groups allied with Iran and the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/george-nader-elliott-broidy-trump-middle-east-uae-qatar-saudi-arabia-mueller-2018-5|title=How a top Trump fundraiser spent a year cultivating 2 crown princes to nail $1 billion in business|website=[[Business Insider]]|date=May 21, 2018|access-date=September 6, 2020|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106095230/https://www.businessinsider.com/george-nader-elliott-broidy-trump-middle-east-uae-qatar-saudi-arabia-mueller-2018-5|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, Trump claimed credit for engineering the [[Qatar diplomatic crisis]] in a series of tweets.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=BBC |title=Qatar row: Trump claims credit for isolation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40175935 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607013027/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40175935 |archive-date=June 7, 2017 }}</ref>

Later on, Qatari Emir [[Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani]] visited the United States in 2019, when an expansion of [[Al Udeid Air Base]] was announced to be funded by Qatar,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-dinner-hosted-secretary-treasury-honor-amir-state-qatar/|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|title=Remarks by President Trump at a Dinner Hosted by the Secretary of the Treasury in Honor of the Amir of the State of Qatar|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|date=July 8, 2019}}</ref> which would cost $1.8 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1800000000|start_year=2019}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/as-trump-tries-to-end-endless-wars-americas-biggest-mideast-base-is-getting-bigger/2019/08/20/47ac5854-bab4-11e9-8e83-4e6687e99814_story.html|title=As Trump tries to end 'endless wars,' America's biggest Mideast base is getting bigger|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 21, 2019}}</ref>

===Saudi Arabia===
{{See also|Saudi Arabia–United States relations}}
[[File:Donald Trump and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sign a Joint Strategic Vision Statement, May 2017.jpg|thumb|Trump and King [[Salman of Saudi Arabia]] sign a Joint Strategic [[Vision statement|Vision Statement]] for the United States and Saudi Arabia, May 20, 2017]]
During the campaign, Trump called for Saudi Arabia to pay for the costs of American troops stationed there.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Knowles|first1=David|title=Donald Trump Adds Saudi Arabia to List of Countries Ripping Off the U.S.|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-08-16/donald-trump-adds-saudi-arabia-to-list-of-countries-ripping-off-the-u-s-|access-date=March 21, 2017|publisher=Bloomberg|date=August 16, 2015}}</ref> He argued that regional allies of the United States, such as Saudi Arabia should provide troops in the fight against the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL). Trump said he would halt [[List of countries by oil exports|oil imports from Saudi Arabia]] unless the Saudi government provide ground troops to defeat ISIL.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump tells NYT he would consider halting purchase of oil from Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/27/trump-would-consider-halting-purchase-of-oil-from-saudi-arabia|access-date=March 21, 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|date=March 26, 2016}}</ref>

In March 2017, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson approved the resumption on the sale of [[Precision-guided munition|guided munitions]] to Saudi Arabia, a move that had been halted late in the Obama administration because of criticisms of the Saudi government's approach to civilian casualties in the [[Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)|Yemeni Civil War]].<ref name="saudiarmsales">{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Missy|last2=Gearan|first2=Anne|title=Trump administration looks to resume Saudi arms sale criticized as endangering civilians in Yemen|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-looks-to-resume-saudi-arms-sale-criticized-as-endangering-civilians-in-yemen/2017/03/08/a259090a-040e-11e7-b1e9-a05d3c21f7cf_story.html|access-date=March 21, 2017|date=March 8, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

===Turkey===
{{See also|Turkey–United States relations#Trump administration (2017–2021)}}
[[File:President Trump and President Erdoğan joint statement in the Roosevelt Room, May 16, 2017.jpg|thumb|Trump and Turkish President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]], May 2017]]
During the campaign, Trump praised Turkish President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] for his handling of the [[2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt|2016 coup attempt in Turkey]].<ref name="July21NYTInterview"/> When asked if Erdoğan was exploiting the coup attempt to [[2016 Turkish purges|purge his political enemies]], Trump did not call for the Turkish leader to observe the rule of law, or offer other cautions for restraint. He said that the United States had to "fix our own mess" before trying to change the behavior of other countries.<ref name="July21NYTInterview"/>

Trump also stated during the campaign that he believed he could persuade Erdoğan to step up efforts against ISIL.<ref name="July21NYTInterview"/> When asked how he would solve the problem of [[Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)|Turkish attacks on Kurds]] who are fighting ISIL, Trump said "Meetings."<ref name="July21NYTInterview"/>

Trump threatened Turkey with economic sanctions over its detention of the [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Christian]] pastor [[Andrew Brunson]]. On August 1, 2018, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Turkey's justice and interior ministers.<ref>{{cite news |title=US sanctions Turkish officials over detained pastor |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-administration-to-sanction-turkish-officials-over-imprisonment-of-american-pastor-andrew-brunson/ |work=Politico |date=August 1, 2018}}</ref>

In October 2019, Trump ordered the Pentagon to withdraw U.S. troops from Northern Syria to allow Turkey to [[2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria|extend]] the [[Turkish occupation of northern Syria]],<ref name = aljazeera/> even though the Kurdish fighters the Turks attacked had helped the U.S. against the Islamic State.<ref name = wsj/> Pentagon officials stated that they were "completely blindsided" and "shocked" by the order.<ref name = fox/><ref name = hill/>

===Yemen===
{{See also|United States–Yemen relations|List of drone strikes in Yemen|Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen#United States|Raid on Yakla}}

The Trump administration continued the [[List of drone strikes in Yemen|United States drone strikes in Yemen]] against the [[Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula|Al-Qaeda affiliate in Yemen]], that were previously begun and expanded in the previous administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-trump-yemen-20170304-story.html|title=Trump steps up airstrikes against Al Qaeda in Yemen; more ground raids could follow|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 4, 2017}}</ref>

On February 1, 2020, Trump appeared to confirm reports that the U.S. had killed [[Qasim al-Raymi]], the leader of an al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen by retweeting reports claiming that the CIA had conducted a drone strike targeting the [[Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula]] leader.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/01/trump-qassim-al-rimi-al-qaeda-yemen-110172|title=Trump appears to confirm killing of al Qaeda leader in Yemen via retweet|first=Evan|last=Semones|website=POLITICO|date=February 2020 }}</ref>

== Oceania ==
=== Australia ===
{{See also|Australia–United States relations#Trump administration (2017–2021)}}
[[File:President Donald Trump meets with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for a bilateral meeting aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Thursday, May 4, 2017, in New York City..jpg|thumb|Trump and Australian Prime Minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] in New York City, May 2017]]

A report in ''The Washington Post'' on February 2, 2017, claimed that Trump berated Prime Minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] and hung up 35 minutes earlier than planned over a refugee resettlement deal that President Obama had made with Australia where the United States agreed to take 1,250 refugees from camps in [[Nauru]] and [[Manus Island]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-gday-mate-on-call-with-australian-pm-trump-badgers-and-brags/2017/02/01/88a3bfb0-e8bf-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html|title='This was the worst call by far': Trump badgered, bragged and abruptly ended phone call with Australian leader|last1=Miller|first1=Gregg|last2=Rucker|first2=Philip|date=February 1, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref> It was also claimed that Trump suggested Turnbull was attempting to export the next [[Boston Marathon bombing|Boston bombers]] to the United States.<ref name="WP_T100_dumbdeal">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-phone-calls-signals-a-new-transactional-approach-to-allies-and-neighbors/2017/02/02/dcb797fa-e989-11e6-b82f-687d6e6a3e7c_story.html|title=Trump phone calls signal a new transactional approach to allies and neighbors|author1=Greg Jaffe |author2=Joshua Partlow |date=February 2, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref> Later that same day, Trump explained that although he respected Australia, they were "terribly taking advantage" of the United States.<ref name="ABC_T100_US_AU_refugeedeal">{{citation|title=Donald Trump defends comments made following call with Malcolm Turnbull, says he 'loves Australia'|date=February 2, 2017|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-03/trump-defends-australia-comments-on-us-refugee-deal/8237640|quote=President Trump has questioned a deal to bring migrants held by Australia into the United States as refugees. Here is what daily life looks like for one of them.|publisher=ABC|access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref>

Australian Ambassador [[Joe Hockey]] met with [[Reince Priebus]] and [[Steve Bannon|Stephen Bannon]] the next day, and Sean Spicer described the call as "cordial". [[Reuters]] described the call as "acrimonious", and ''The Washington Post'' said that it was Trump's "worst call by far" with a foreign leader.<ref name="reuters_Turnball_Trump">{{citation|title=Tense call between Trump and Australian leader strains longtime ties|date=February 2, 2017|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-australia-idUSKBN15H09T?il=0|author1=Jane Wardell |author2=Roberta Rampton |work=Reuters |location=Sydney and Washington|access-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref><ref name="whitehouse_press7">{{citation|title=Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer #7|date=February 2, 2017|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/02/press-briefing-press-secretary-sean-spicer-222017-7|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> Notwithstanding the disagreement regarding the resettlement of the refugees Vice President [[Mike Pence]], while on a visit to Australia in April 2017, stated the United States will abide by the deal. The decision was seen as a positive sign of commitment by the Australian Prime Minister.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/22/us-will-honour-refugee-deal-australia-trump-called-dumb/ "US 'will honour' refugee deal with Australia that Trump called 'dumb'"], retrieved April 29, 2017.</ref>

==Sub-Saharan Africa==
{{Main|Africa–United States relations}}
[[File:The Trumps welcomed Kenya’s President.jpg|thumb|Trump welcoming [[Kenya]]'s President [[Uhuru Kenyatta]] and his wife, August 2018]]
[[File:President Donald Trump shakes hands with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.jpg|thumb|right|Trump shakes hands with [[Rwanda]]n President [[Paul Kagame]] in 2018]]
The Trump administration was accused of generally "ignoring" Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. By October 2017, senior diplomatic positions relating to the continent were still vacant, including [[Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs]] and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Africa. U.S. military operations in the region continued, but there were no clear statement of objectives or guidance for the [[United States Africa Command]] at the time, headed by General [[Thomas D. Waldhauser|Thomas Waldhauser]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/opinion/international/357114-trump-wrongly-ignores-africa|title=Trump wrongly ignores Africa|last=Friend|first=Alice Hunt|date=October 25, 2017|work=The Hill|access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref> Alan Patterson would later serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Africa from December 2017 to October 2018 and [[Tibor P. Nagy]] would become [[Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs]] on July 23, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dod.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/1401133/alan-patterson/|work=U.S. Department of Defense|title=Alan Patterson>Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs|access-date=July 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/284402.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724062543/https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/284402.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 24, 2018|title=Tibor P. Nagy, Jr.|website=U.S. Department of State|access-date=July 23, 2018}}</ref>

During a summer 2017 meeting about immigration, Trump reportedly said that Nigerians, once they came to the United States, would never "go back to their huts". The White House strongly denied the claim.<ref name="Kirby">{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/1/11/16880750/trump-immigrants-shithole-countries-norway|title=Trump wants fewer immigrants from "shithole countries" and more from places like Norway|last=Kirby|first=Jen|date=January 11, 2018|work=VOX|access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref> In a meeting with congressional leaders on January 11, 2018, Trump asked during a discussion of immigration from Africa why America would want people from "all these shithole countries", suggesting that it would be better to receive immigrants from countries like Norway. The comment was condemned as racist by many foreign leaders and a UN spokesman. The [[African Union]] said it was "alarmed" by the comment, which "flies in the face of all accepted behavior and practice."<ref name = NBC>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-referred-haiti-african-countries-shithole-nations-n836946|title=Trump referred to Haiti and African nations as 'shithole' countries|date=January 12, 2018|work=NBC News|access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref> African ambassadors in Washington planned to meet the following week to discuss a response. They expressed dismay that it took something like this to bring attention to Africa when the continent had so many other issues, such as famine and civil war, that Washington ignored.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/01/12/african-ambassadors-to-meet-in-wake-of-trumps-shithole-outburst-african-union-immigration-oval-office-controversy-state-department-diplomacy/|title=African Ambassadors to Convene in Wake of Trump's 'Shithole' Outburst|last=Gramer|first=Robbie|date=January 12, 2018|work=Foreign Policy|access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref>

===Ethiopia===
{{Main|Ethiopia–United States relations}}
In September 2020, the United States suspended part of its economic assistance to [[Ethiopia]] due to the lack of sufficient progress in negotiations with [[Sudan]] and [[Egypt]] over the construction of the [[Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam]].<ref>{{cite news |title=US suspends aid to Ethiopia over Blue Nile dam dispute|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/suspends-aid-ethiopia-blue-nile-dam-dispute-200903060438918.html|work=Al Jazeera |date=September 3, 2020}}</ref> On October 24, 2020, President Donald Trump stated on a public phone call to Sudan's Prime Minister [[Abdalla Hamdok]] and Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu that "it's a very dangerous situation because Egypt is not going to be able to live that way... And I said it and I say it loud and clear - they'll blow up that dam. And they have to do something." Ethiopian Prime Minister [[Abiy Ahmed]] responded that "Ethiopia will not cave in to aggression of any kind" and that threats were "misguided, unproductive and clear violations of international law."<ref name=bbc-20201024>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54674313 |title=Trump comment on 'blowing up' Nile Dam angers Ethiopia |work=BBC News |date=October 24, 2020 }}</ref>

===South Africa===
{{Main|South Africa–United States relations}}
On August 23, 2018, Trump publicly instructed Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] to investigate [[South African farm attacks]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/south-africa-blasts-trump-over-racially-divisive-tweet/2018/08/23/0ab80ba0-a6c9-11e8-ad6f-080770dcddc2_story.html |title=South Africa blasts Trump over racially divisive tweet |date=August 23, 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824153828/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/south-africa-blasts-trump-over-racially-divisive-tweet/2018/08/23/0ab80ba0-a6c9-11e8-ad6f-080770dcddc2_story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> an instruction which was widely described in mainstream media as the administration advocating for an unfounded [[white genocide conspiracy theory]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump under fire for claim of 'large scale killing' of white farmers in South Africa |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-under-fire-claim-large-scale-killing-white-farmers-south-n903171 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=ADL blasts Trump for tweeting a white nationalist talking point |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/adl-blasts-trump-for-tweeting-a-white-nationalist-talking-point/ |newspaper=[[The Times of Israel]] |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=White Nationalists Praise Donald Trump for Spreading White South African Farmers Conspiracy Theory |url=https://www.newsweek.com/white-nationalists-trump-south-african-farmers-1087549 |magazine=[[Newsweek]] |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Trump Is Using a White Nationalist Conspiracy Theory to Inform Policy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-south-africa-714744/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> Trump had apparently gotten his information from a [[Tucker Carlson]] segment on [[Fox News]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-white-farmers-south-africa-conspiracy-theory_us_5b7f2d38e4b0729515115d9d|title=Trump Boosted A White Nationalist Conspiracy Theory He Saw On Fox News|last=Schulberg|first=Jessica|date=August 23, 2018|work=Huffington Post|access-date=August 24, 2018}}</ref> The media roundly berated the move, with ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine claiming Trump was attempting to "change the conversation — to one about "white genocide" in South Africa",<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Trump Echoes Neo-Nazi Propaganda About South Africa (That He Heard on Fox News) |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/08/south-african-farmers-land-trump-tweet-white-genocide.html |magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' reported that the "President of the United States is now openly promoting an international racist [[conspiracy theory]] as the official [[foreign policy of the United States]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=No One Should Need a Tape of Him Using a Racial Slur |url=https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a22810662/donald-trump-south-africa-white-land-grabs-killings/ |magazine=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> According to the [[Southern Poverty Law Center|SPLC]], Trump had "tweeted out his intention to put the full force of the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] behind a [[White nationalism|white nationalist]] conspiracy theory".<ref>{{cite news|title=President Trump is stoking white nationalism, exploiting racist fear |url=https://www.splcenter.org/news/2018/08/23/president-trump-stoking-white-nationalism-exploiting-racist-fear |publisher=[[Southern Poverty Law Center]] |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref>

Causing "angry reaction in South Africa", many politicians responded critically including former [[List of ambassadors of the United States to South Africa|US Ambassador]] to South Africa [[Patrick Gaspard]], RSA [[Deputy President of South Africa|Deputy President]] [[David Mabuza]] and [[Julius Malema]] MP, who responded to Trump, declaring "there is no white genocide in South Africa",<ref>{{cite news|title=Donald Trump's land seizures tweet draws angry reaction in South Africa |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/23/trump-orders-close-study-of-south-africa-farmer-killings |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> and that the US President's intervention into their ongoing [[Land reform in South Africa|land reform issues]] "only made them more determined... to expropriate our land without compensation".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45282088 |title=South Africa rejects Donald Trump's tweet on farmer killings |date=August 23, 2018 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dangerous-and-poisoned-critics-blast-trump-for-endorsing-white-nationalist-conspiracy-theory-on-south-africa/2018/08/23/6c3b160e-a6df-11e8-a656-943eefab5daf_story.html |title='Dangerous and poisoned': Critics blast Trump for endorsing white nationalist conspiracy theory on South Africa |date=August 23, 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Trump had previously caused controversy around the topic as a presidential candidate in 2016, when he republished content from a social media account named "WhiteGenocideTM".<ref>{{cite news|title=Donald Trump retweets 'White Genocide' Twitter user |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/22/politics/donald-trump-retweet-white-genocide/ |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=January 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Donald Trump Retweets Apparent Neo-Nazi Supporter |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-tweets-apparent-neo-nazi-supporter-n502136 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=January 22, 2016}}</ref>

===Sudan===
{{Main|Sudan–United States relations}}
{{expand section|date=September 2021}}
On October 23, 2020, the [[Israel–Sudan normalization agreement]] was finalized between Israel and the [[Sudan]].

==International organizations and multilateral agreements==
The Trump administration pursued [[Unilateralism|unilateralist]] policies abroad in alignment with the "America First" policy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-america-first-means-under-trump-is-coming-into-focus-11579469762|title=What 'America First' Means Under Trump Is Coming Into Focus|first=Greg|last=Ip|newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=January 20, 2020|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref>

===European Union===
{{See also|United States–European Union relations}}
[[File:Juncker Trump Tusk Brussels 2017.jpg|thumb|Trump with [[Jean-Claude Juncker]] (left) and [[Donald Tusk]] (right) in [[Brussels]], before the start of their bilateral meeting, May 2017]]
Trump was more adversarial to the [[European Union]] than his predecessors, regarding the union more as an economic competitor than a partner in foreign affairs. During his 2016 election campaign, Trump said of the EU, "the reason that it got together was like a [[consortium]] so that it could compete with the United States."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/24/donald-trump-eu-was-formed-to-beat-the-us-at-making-money|title=Donald Trump: EU was formed 'to beat the US at making money'|last=Jacobs|first=Ben|date=July 24, 2016|website=the Guardian}}</ref> U.S. foreign policy experts such as [[Strobe Talbott]] and [[Amie Kreppel]] regarded this assertion as incorrect, emphasizing that though the EU was established in part to rebuild the European economies after [[World War II]], it was not created specifically to compete with the United States and that, in fact, the U.S. government initially approved of the EU's creation.<ref>Joseph J. Schatz, [http://www.politico.eu/article/trumps-eu-jab-ignores-us-role-in-europe-compete-foreign-policy-provocation/ Trump's EU jab ignores US role in Europe: It was just the latest foreign policy provocation from the GOP nominee], ''Politico'' (July 25, 2016).</ref>

[[File:Plenaria - Día 2 (44316130490).jpg|thumb|[[Angela Merkel]] criticized the draft of new sanctions against Russia that target EU–Russia energy projects.<ref>"[http://www.dw.com/en/germanys-angela-merkel-slams-planned-us-sanctions-on-russia/a-39276878 Germany's Angela Merkel slams planned US sanctions on Russia]". [[Deutsche Welle]]. June 16, 2017.</ref>]]
[[File:President Trump at Davos (49419286943).jpg|thumb|President of the European Commission [[Ursula von der Leyen]] meet with U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] with [[World Economic Forum]], [[Davos]], [[Switzerland]], January 2020]] 
In a 60-minute interview in mid-January 2017, with [[Michael Gove]] of the ''[[Times of London]]'' and [[Kai Diekmann]] of ''[[Bild]]'', U.S. president [[Donald Trump]] criticized the [[European Union]] as "basically a vehicle for Germany" claiming that it was a "very catastrophic mistake" on [[Angela Merkel]]'s part to admit a million refugees – whom he refers to as "illegals".<ref name="thetimes_Tinterview_full_transcript">{{citation |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/full-transcript-of-interview-with-donald-trump-5d39sr09d |publisher=[[Times of London]] |date=January 16, 2017 |access-date=February 1, 2017 |location=New York |title=Donald Trump interviewed by Michael Gove and Kai Diekmann }} Full-text transcript</ref> In a letter to 27 European leaders, [[Donald Tusk]], the [[President of the European Council]], called these "worrying declarations" and claimed that the Trump administration seemed to "question the last 70 years of American foreign policy," placing the European Union in a "difficult situation".<ref name="BBC_Trump_threat">{{citation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38808504 |title=EU's Donald Tusk sees Trump as threat to Europe |publisher=[[BBC]]|date=January 31, 2017 |access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref> The relation soured even more when [[Jean-Claude Juncker]] jokingly said it would support the independence of the US State of [[Ohio]] and the city of [[Austin, Texas]] after [[Donald Trump]] backed the [[Brexit]] and encouraging other European countries to follow its example.<ref name="The_Independent_Trump_Independence">{{citation |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/jean-claude-juncker-ohio-independence-donald-trump-brexit-eu-president-european-commision-a7659471.html|title=Jean-Claude Juncker threatens to campaign for Ohio's independence in revenge for Donald Trump backing Brexit |work=[[The Independent]]|date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref>

In May 2017, Angela Merkel met with Trump. Trump's nationalist sentiments had already strained relations with several EU countries and other American allies, to the point where after a NATO summit, Merkel said that Europeans cannot rely on United States' help anymore.<ref>{{cite news|title=How a single sentence from Angela Merkel showed what Trump means to the world|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/29/politics/merkel-trump-europe/|last=Cillizza|first=Chris|access-date=May 29, 2017|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=May 29, 2017}}</ref> This came after Trump had said the Germans were "bad, very bad" and threatened to stop all car trade with Germany.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trumpian diplomacy at its most refined: "The Germans are bad, very bad"|url=https://www.vox.com/world/2017/5/26/15698824/trump-germany-bad-trade-cars|last=Aleem|first=Zeeshan|access-date=May 29, 2017|website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=May 26, 2017}}</ref>

In July 2018, Trump stated in an interview with [[CBS]] that the European Union is one of the United States' greatest foes globally, citing "what they do to us on trade".<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump, on Eve of Putin Meeting, Calls E.U. a Trade 'Foe'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/world/europe/trump-putin-summit-meeting.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 15, 2018}}</ref> He followed this up with a tweet protesting the [[European Union vs. Google|EU's fining of Google $5.1&nbsp;billion]] for a violation of antitrust laws, commenting that the EU continues to take advantage of the US.<ref>{{cite news |title=President Trump says 'I told you so!' after Europe fines Google €4.34 billion|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/07/19/president-trump-says-i-told-you-so-after-europe-fines-google-billion/ |access-date=July 19, 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 19, 2018}}</ref>

In December 2019, the United States urged the European countries to blacklist [[Hezbollah]]. Its ambassador to Germany [[Richard Grenell]] asked these countries to list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, after a US civil contractor was killed in a rocket attack in [[Iraq]]'s [[Kirkuk Governorate|Kirkuk Province]], which the US official said involved [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alwaght.com/en/news/169525|title=US Calls on Europe to Outlaw Lebanon's Hezbollah Movement|access-date=December 29, 2019|website=Alwaght|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224133520/http://alwaght.com/en/news/169525|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===NATO===
{{See also|NATO}}
[[File:President Donald Trump and Secretary General Jens Stolenberg Joint Press Conference, April 12, 2017 (01).jpg|thumb|Trump and NATO Secretary General [[Jens Stoltenberg]], April 2017]]

During his presidential campaign in March 2016, Trump called for a "rethink" of American involvement in NATO, stating that the US pays too much to ensure the security of allies, that "NATO is costing us a fortune, and yes, we're protecting Europe with NATO, but we're spending a lot of money".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/donald-trump-says-us-cannot-afford-spend-so-much-nato/27627522.html|title=Trump Says U.S. 'Can't Afford' To Spend So Much On NATO|date=March 22, 2016|website=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty|publisher=dpa and Reuters|access-date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> Later in the same interview, he stated that the U.S. should not "decrease its role" in NATO but rather should decrease U.S. spending in regards to the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/21/politics/elections-2016-final-five-highlights/index.html|title=5 candidates make closing arguments on CNN ahead of Western Tuesday|last=Collinson|first=Stephen|date=March 22, 2016|publisher=CNN}}</ref>
In a July 2016 interview, Trump "explicitly raised new questions about his commitment to automatically defend NATO allies," questioning whether he, as president, would automatically extend [[North Atlantic Treaty#Article 5|security guarantees to NATO members]].<ref name="July21NYTInterview">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/21/us/politics/donald-trump-issues.html|title=Donald Trump Sets Conditions for Defending NATO Allies Against Attack|last1=Sanger|first1=David E.|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 21, 2016 |issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 21, 2016}}</ref> Asked about a prospective Russia attack on NATO's [[Baltic states|Baltic members]], Trump stated that he would decide whether to come to their aid only after reviewing whether those nations "have fulfilled their obligations to us."<ref name="July21NYTInterview"/> This would represent a sharp break with U.S. foreign traditions.<ref name="July21NYTInterview"/><ref>David Wright & Tom Kludt, [http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/21/politics/trump-foreign-policy-interview/index.html Trump would break sharply with US foreign policy tradition], CNN (July 21, 2016).</ref>

As president, Trump said in a February 2017 speech that the US strongly supports NATO, but continued to insist that NATO members were not paying their fair share as part of the alliance.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/06/trump-tries-to-reassure-allies-about-us-support-but-asks-them-to-pay-up-more.html|title=Trump aims to reassure allies about US support, but asks them to pay up more|last=Pramuk|first=Jacob|date=February 6, 2017|work=CNBC|access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> In March 2017, Trump called upon U.S. allies increase their financial commitment to their own defense or compensate the United States for providing it, asserting that Germany and NATO owed "vast sums of money" to the U.S. for defense.<ref name="NATOCash">{{cite news|last1=Sharman|first1=John|title=Donald Trump says Germany owes US and Nato 'vast sums of money' for defence|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-angela-merkel-germany-owes-nato-money-united-states-defence-a7636686.html|access-date=March 23, 2017|newspaper=The Independent|date=March 18, 2017}}</ref> In May 2017, on a visit to the new NATO headquarters, Trump called upon NATO to do more to fight terrorism and to add limiting immigration to its tasks. In the speech he did not explicitly reaffirm U.S. commitment to [[North Atlantic Treaty#Article 5|Article V]], which obligates all NATO members to respond to an attack against any one member. White House spokesperson Sean Spicer later reaffirmed America's commitment to joint defense.<ref name = "Emmott">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-europe-idUSKBN18K34D|title=Trump directly scolds NATO allies, says they owe "massive sums"|last=Emmott|first=Robin|date=May 26, 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref>

Referencing countries that had not spent the minimum of 2% of their national GDP for defense by 2024, a NATO guideline, Trump claimed that "many of these nations owe massive amounts of money from past years."<ref name = "Emmott" /><ref name = "Baker">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/world/europe/nato-trump-spending.html?_r=0|title=Trump Says NATO Allies Don't Pay Their Share. Is That True?|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=May 26, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> While most members of the alliance indeed had yet to reach the 2% target, the countries are not in arrears and they "do not owe anything" to the United States or to NATO.<ref name = "Baker" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-fact-check-nato-claims|title=AP Fact Check: Trump Wraps Up Trip Abroad With False Claims About NATO|last1=Woodward|first1=Calvin|last2=Boak|first2=Josh|date=May 28, 2017|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Talking Points Memo|access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref> In  April 2019, Secretary-General [[Jens Stoltenberg]] played down the disputes with Trump, noting in an address to Congress that "there are differences" (noting disputes over trade, energy, climate change policy, the Iran nuclear agreement and burden sharing among NATO allies). Noting that NATO members are on track to increase defense spending by up to $100 billion, Stoltenberg said that "this has been the clear message from President Trump and this message is having a real impact."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/03/nato-head-stoltenberg-plays-down-disputes-president-donald-trump/3351316002/|title=NATO leader tells Congress alliance is strong, plays down disputes with Donald Trump|work=USA Today|date=April 3, 2019|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref>

Critics of Trump charged him with failing to understand or honor the strategic significance of NATO and [[Collective security|collective defense]] to the U.S.'s national security, and of seeing the NATO alliance in transactional terms, with one describing Trump's views on collective defense as more akin to a "[[protection racket]]".<ref>
* Michael McFaul, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/mr-trump-nato-is-an-alliance-not-a-protection-racket/2016/07/25/03ca2712-527d-11e6-88eb-7dda4e2f2aec_story.html Mr. Trump, NATO is an alliance, not a protection racket], ''Washington Post'' (July 25, 2016).
* Kevin Baron, [https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2019/03/critics-blast-trump-protection-racket-offer-pure-idiocy/155424/ Critics Blast Trump 'Protection Racket' Offer as 'Pure Idiocy'], ''Defense One'' (March 8, 2019).
* [https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/05/nato-joe-biden-trump-076529 'NATO is not a protection racket': Biden test-drives new Trump attack], ''Politico'' (December 5, 2019).</ref>
According to [[John Bolton]], Trump had to be talked out of leaving NATO several times and would withdraw the United States from NATO if he had the chance of a second term.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swan |first=Jonathan |last2=Savage |first2=Charlie |last3=Haberman |first3=Maggie |date=2023-12-09 |title=Fears of a NATO Withdrawal Rise as Trump Seeks a Return to Power |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/09/us/politics/trump-2025-nato.html |access-date=2023-12-11 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

===United Nations===
{{See also|United States and the United Nations|United States withdrawal from the United Nations}}
[[File:President Donald J. Trump and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the United Nations General Assembly (37425398212).jpg|thumb|Trump and UN Secretary-General [[António Guterres]]]]
During the campaign, Trump criticized the [[United Nations]], saying that it was weak, incompetent, and "not a friend of democracy... freedom... the United States... Israel".<ref name=":25">{{cite news |last=Singer |first=Paul |date=March 21, 2016 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/03/21/donald-trump-united-nations-aipac-republican-president/82096288/ |title=Trump blasts U.N. at AIPAC, but he used to be a 'very big fan' of the group |access-date=July 23, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009114804/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/03/21/donald-trump-united-nations-aipac-republican-president/82096288/ |archive-date=October 9, 2016}}</ref> Upon taking office, Trump appointed [[Nikki Haley]] as the [[List of ambassadors of the United States to the United Nations|United States Ambassador to the United Nations]]. On September 25, 2018, Trump addressed the [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly of the United Nations]] in [[New York City]]. After boasting that his administration had accomplished more in two years than almost any other U.S. administration in history, his speech was interrupted by laughter from the assembly.<ref>{{cite news |last=Breuninger |first=Kevin |date=September 25, 2018 |title=Trump's boast draws laughter during his United Nations General Assembly speech |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/25/trumps-boast-draws-laughter-during-his-united-nations-speech.html |url-status=live |work=[[CNBC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926120206/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/25/trumps-boast-draws-laughter-during-his-united-nations-speech.html |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=July 20, 2020 }}</ref> Trump claimed that the diplomats were laughing with him, rather than at him.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tamkin |first=Emily |date=September 26, 2018 |title=Diplomats Say They Were Definitely Laughing At Trump At The UN |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilytamkin/diplomats-un-laughed-donald-trump |url-status=live |work=[[BuzzFeed News]] |location=[[New York City]], New York |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012193429/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilytamkin/diplomats-un-laughed-donald-trump |archive-date=October 12, 2018 |access-date= July 20, 2020}}</ref>

===Paris climate agreement===
{{See also|United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement}}
[[File:President Trump Makes a Statement Regarding the Paris Accord.webm|thumb|President Trump announces the United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, June 1, 2017]]
In June 2017, Trump announced that the U.S. would [[United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement|withdraw from the Paris Agreement]] to [[climate change mitigation|combat climate change]]. The withdrawal left the U.S. as one of the world's only countries outside the Paris Agreement (which consolidated each country's voluntary pledge to reduce [[Greenhouse gas emissions|carbon emissions]] and aimed to further emissions cuts), and made the U.S. the sole country to withdraw from the agreement after entering into it.<ref name="FriedmanParis"/> Trump's withdrawal formally abandoned President Obama's goal of cutting U.S. emissions by 28% below 2005 levels by 2025.<ref name=FriedmanParis/> The U.S. withdrawal formally came into effect on November 4, 2020.<ref name=FriedmanParis/> Trump's decision to withdrawal from the agreement dismayed business leaders and U.S. allies<ref name="VolcoviciMason"/> and was condemned by scientists, which warned that U.S. withdrawal would deepen the [[climate crisis]].<ref name="auto5"/><ref name="auto6"/>

===Geneva Consensus Declaration===
{{Main|Geneva Consensus Declaration}}
In 2020, the United States joined 34 other countries from Asia, Africa, and South America to "reaffirm that there is no international [[right to abortion]], nor any international obligation on the part of states to finance or facilitate [[abortion]]," in the ''[[Geneva Consensus Declaration]] on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family''.

==Trade policy==
{{See also|Trump tariffs|Foreign trade of the United States}}
When announcing his candidacy in June 2015, Trump said that his experience as a negotiator in private business would enhance his ability to negotiate better international trade deals as president.<ref name="Wire"/><ref name="BradnerTradeWar">Bradner, Eric. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/26/politics/donald-trump-bernie-sanders-free-trade-2016/ Here's how Donald Trump could spark a trade war with Mexico and China], [[CNN]] (August 26, 2015).</ref> Trump identifies himself as a "[[free trade]]r",<ref name="Haberman"/> but was widely described as a [[Protectionism|"protectionist]]".<ref name="TankersleyTrade">Jim Tankersley, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/08/31/trump-upends-gop-message-on-economy/ Trump upends GOP message on economy], ''Washington Post'' (August 31, 2015).</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.ft.com/the-exchange/2016/04/05/donald-trumps-protectionism-has-a-good-pedigree/|title=Donald Trump's protectionism has a good pedigree|access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/lawrence-solomon-donald-trumps-protectionism-fits-right-in-with-republicans|title=Lawrence Solomon: Donald Trump's protectionism fits right in with Republicans|newspaper=Financial Post |date=March 18, 2016 |access-date=July 22, 2016|last1=Solomon |first1=Lawrence }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-lays-out-protectionist-views-in-trade-speech-1467145538|title=Donald Trump Lays Out Protectionist Views in Trade Speech|last1=Epstein|first1=Reid J.|date=June 28, 2016|last2=Nelson|first2=Colleen McCain|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/us/politics/-trade-donald-trump-breaks-200-years-economic-orthodoxy-mercantilism.html|title=On Trade, Donald Trump Breaks With 200 Years of Economic Orthodoxy|last=Appelbaum|first=Binyamin|date=March 10, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref> Trump described supporters of international trade as "blood suckers".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/10/02/as-news-of-trumps-taxes-broke-he-goes-off-script-at-a-rally-in-pennsylvania/|title=As news of Trump's taxes breaks, he goes off script at a rally in Pennsylvania|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref>

Trump's views on trade upended traditional Republican party policies favoring free trade.<ref name="TankersleyTrade" /><ref name="PalmerSchreckinger"/> [[Binyamin Appelbaum]], reporting for the ''New York Times'', summarized Trump's proposals as breaking with 200 years of [[economics]] orthodoxy.<ref name="Appelaum2"/><ref name="Lane">Charles Lane, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-contempt-for-the-free-market/2015/10/21/2f61d87c-7815-11e5-bc80-9091021aeb69_story.html Donald Trump's contempt for the free market], ''Washington Post'' (October 21, 2015).</ref> American economic writer [[Bruce Bartlett]] argued that Trump's [[Protectionism|protectionist]] views have roots in the [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig Party]] program of the 1830s. He noted that many Americans were sympathetic to these views, while saying this was nonetheless not a good justification to adopt them.<ref>Bartlett, Bruce. [http://blogs.ft.com/the-exchange/2016/04/05/donald-trumps-protectionism-has-a-good-pedigree/ Donald Trump's protectionism has a good pedigree], [[Financial Times]] (April 5, 2016).</ref> Canadian writer [[Lawrence Solomon]] describes Trump's position on trade as similar to that as of pre-[[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] Republican presidents, such as [[Herbert Hoover]] (who signed the [[Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act|Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act]]) and [[Richard Nixon]] (who ran on a protectionist platform).<ref>Solomon, Lawrence. [http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/lawrence-solomon-donald-trumps-protectionism-fits-right-in-with-republicans Lawrence Solomon: Donald Trump's protectionism fits right in with Republicans], ''[[Financial Post]]'' (March 18, 2016).</ref>

A January 2019 [[United States Intelligence Community|intelligence community]] assessment concluded that Trump's trade policies and unilateralism had "damaged" traditional alliances and induced foreign partners to seek new relationships.<ref name="auto"/>

===NAFTA, Mexico trade dispute, and USMCA===
{{Further|United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement}}
During the campaign, Trump condemned the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA), saying that if elected president, "We will either renegotiate it, or we will break it."<ref name="bigstory.ap.org"/><ref name="cbsnews.com"/>

During his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after becoming president, Trump stated that he viewed the Canadian situation different than Mexico, and only envisioned minor changes for Canada, with much larger ones for Mexico.<ref name="CTVNAFTA"/>

During the campaign, Trump vowed to impose tariffs — in the range of 15 to 35 percent — on companies that move their operations to Mexico.<ref name=":13"/> He specifically criticized the [[Ford Motor Company|Ford Motor Co.]],<ref name="Appelaum2"/> [[Carrier Global|Carrier Corporation]],<ref name="Appelaum2"/> and [[Mondelez International]].<ref name="Appelaum2"/><ref name=":13" /><ref name="dailybeast"/>  The dispute was partially resolved by the USMCA, which requires Mexican auto manufacturers to pay their workers a minimum wage of $16/hr.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

After taking office, White House press secretary Sean Spicer noted that Trump was considering imposing a 20% tariff on Mexican imports to the United States as one of several options that would pay for his proposed border wall.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Diamond|first1=Jeremy|title=Trump floats 20% tax on Mexican imports to pay for wall, but considering other options|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/26/politics/donald-trump-mexico-import-tax-border-wall/index.html?iid=EL|access-date=March 25, 2017|publisher=CNN|date=January 27, 2017}}</ref> The Mexican government stated that if unilateral tariffs were imposed on Mexico, it would consider retaliating by imposing tariffs on goods Mexico imports from the United States.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Daniel|first1=Frank Jack|title=Mexico warns of tariffs, spurns U.S. aid under review by Trump|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-mexico-idUSKBN1631UQ?il=0|access-date=March 25, 2017|work=Reuters|date=February 24, 2017}}</ref>

In September 2018, the United States, Mexico, and Canada reached an agreement to replace NAFTA with the [[United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement]] (USMCA). NAFTA remained in force until the ratification of the USMCA in July 2020.<ref name="auto3"/>

===Trade with China===
{{Further|China–United States trade war}}
During the campaign, Trump proposed a 45 percent [[tariff]] on [[List of the largest trading partners of China|Chinese exports to the United States]] to give "American workers a level playing field."<ref name="Haberman" /><ref name="Appelaum2"/> According to an analysis by ''[[Capital Economics]]'', Trump's proposed tariff may hurt U.S. consumers by driving U.S. retail price of Chinese made goods up 10 percent, because of few alternative suppliers in key product classes that China sells to the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/29/us-presidential-election-news-trumps-tariff-plan-for-chinese-goods-will-hurt-us-consumers.html|title=How Trump's tariff plan for Chinese goods will hurt US consumers, not China|last=Tan|first=Huileng|date=September 30, 2016|publisher=CNBC|access-date=September 30, 2016}}</ref> The goods trade deficit with China in 2015 was $367.2 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=367200000000|start_year=2015}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html#2015|title=U.S. Trade in Goods with China|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 14, 2016}}</ref> The [[Economic Policy Institute]] (EPI) reported in December 2014 that "Growth in the U.S. goods trade deficit with China between 2001 and 2013 eliminated or displaced 3.2 million U.S. jobs, 2.4 million (three-fourths) of which were in manufacturing." EPI reported these losses were distributed across all 50 states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epi.org/publication/china-trade-outsourcing-and-jobs/|title=China Trade, Outsourcing, and Jobs|publisher=Economic Policy Institute|access-date=November 14, 2016}}</ref>

Trump pledged "swift, robust and unequivocal" action against Chinese piracy, [[Counterfeit consumer goods|counterfeit]] American goods, and theft of U.S. [[trade secret]]s and [[intellectual property]], and condemned China's "illegal [[Export subsidy|export subsidies]] and lax labor and environmental standards."<ref name="PalmerSchreckinger" /> In a May 2016 campaign speech, Trump responded to concerns regarding a potential trade war with "We're losing $500 billion in trade with China. Who the hell cares if there's a trade war?"<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/>

===Trans-Pacific Partnership===
{{Main|Trans-Pacific Partnership}}
During the 2016 campaign, Trump opposed the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]] that the Obama administration had negotiated, calling it "insanity. That deal should not be supported and it should not be allowed to happen." He said the US was "giving away" concessions to China.<ref>Associated Press, [http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5d6782e61a5342f993a88400f07592b4/quote-box-trump-talks-tough-asia-trade-alliances-0 Quote box: Trump talks tough on Asia trade, alliances] (March 10, 2016).</ref> Days after taking office, on January 23, 2017, Trump withdrew from the proposed deal, citing the need to protect American workers from competition by workers in low-wage countries.<ref name="NYTTPP">{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Peter|title=Trump Abandons Trans-Pacific Partnership, Obama's Signature Trade Deal|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/us/politics/tpp-trump-trade-nafta.html?_r=0|access-date=March 23, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 23, 2017}}</ref> The international trade agreement never took effect.

===World Trade Organization===
{{Main|World Trade Organization}}
During the 2016 campaign, Trump called the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) a "disaster".<ref name=":30">{{cite web|title=Trump: I'm Running Against Clinton, Not 'Rest of the World'|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/trump-i-m-running-against-hillary-not-rest-world-n615581|last=Dann|first=Carrie|date=July 23, 2016|website=NBC|access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref> He said that if U.S. companies moved their manufacturing operations abroad, he would place tariffs of 15–35% on these products when they were sold to U.S. consumers. When informed that this would be contrary to the rules of the WTO, he answered "even better. Then we're going to renegotiate or we're going to pull out [of the WTO]."<ref name=":13" />

The United States remained an active WTO member throughout 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Engagement at the World Trade Organization|url=https://geneva.usmission.gov/2020/02/07/u-s-engagement-at-the-world-trade-organization/|last=Shea|first=Dennis|date=February 6, 2020|website=U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Geneva|access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref>

==Global health security==
[[File:President Trump Addresses the Nation March 11 2020.webm|thumb|President Trump announces a 30-day ban on travel from all European countries with the expection of the United Kingdom, March 11, 2020]]

===World Health Organization===
{{empty section|date=September 2021}}

===COVID-19 travel bans===
{{See also|2020 Oval Office address|Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic}}

In late January 2020, the Trump administration banned travel to the U.S. by mainland Chinese nationals, allowing US citizens abroad and legal US residents to return.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tate|first=Curtis|title=Delta, American, United to suspend all China mainland flights as coronavirus crisis grows|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2020/01/31/coronavirus-china-flight-ban-delta-cuts-all-flights-white-house/4620989002/|access-date=April 3, 2020|website=USA TODAY}}</ref>

On March 11, President Trump announced a travel ban on foreigners coming from the [[Schengen Area]], and later added Ireland and the United Kingdom to the list.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Specia|first=Megan|date=March 12, 2020|title=What You Need to Know About Trump's European Travel Ban|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/europe/trump-travel-ban-coronavirus.html|access-date=March 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Snyder|first=Tanya|title=White House adds U.K., Ireland to travel ban, hints at airline aid|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/14/white-house-adds-uk-ireland-to-travel-ban-129470|access-date=March 28, 2020|website=POLITICO|date=March 14, 2020 }}</ref>  Unlike the bans on entry by mainland Chinese and Iranian nationals, these were rescinded by Trump and due to expire January 26, 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-travel-exclusi-idUSKBN29N20Y|title=US Health, Coronavirus, USA travel exclusions|publisher=reuters|date=January 18, 2021}}</ref>

==Military==
===Funding, readiness, and oversight===
As president, Trump frequently said that he inherited a "depleted" [[United States Armed Forces|military]] from his predecessor, [[Barack Obama]], despite evidence to the contrary in regards to funding, readiness, and infrastructure.<ref name=Evon>Dan Evon, [https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-inherit-depleted-military/ Did Trump Inherit a 'Depleted' Military From Obama?], Snopes (September 26, 2020).</ref><ref name=McCarthy>Bill McCarthy, [https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/jan/10/donald-trump/trump-exaggerates-spending-us-military-rebuild/ Trump exaggerates spending on U.S. military rebuild], ''PolitiFact'' (January 10, 2020).</ref><ref name=BBCFinal/> Retired [[United States Army|Army]] general [[David Petraeus]] and military analysts [[Michael E. O'Hanlon]] and [[Lawrence Korb]] also denied Trump's claims of a U.S. military readiness crisis, regarding them as inaccurate.<ref>Lawrence Korb, [https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2020/09/14/trumps-misleading-claims-on-military-readiness-and-veteran-care/ Trump's misleading claims on military readiness and veteran care], ''Military Times'' (September 14, 2020).</ref> Under the four fiscal years of the Trump administration, U.S. military funding totaled about $2.5 trillion, about $100 billion in additional funds annually.<ref name=McCarthy/> However spending was lower than during Obama's first term (2009–2013) when using data adjusted for inflation.<ref name name=Giles>Christopher Giles, [https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54060026 US election 2020: Has Trump kept his promises on the military?], BBC News (October 16, 2020).</ref><ref>Lori Robertson, [https://www.factcheck.org/2020/07/trumps-false-military-equipment-claim/ Trump's False Military Equipment Claim], ''FactCheck.org'' (July 2, 2020).</ref>

In the early years of his presidency, Trump sought to shift authority over military operations back to [[the Pentagon]] by loosening [[rules of engagement]] and reducing White House oversight in the [[Command hierarchy|chain of command]], a departure from his predecessor. Although the streamlined decision-making was welcomed by many in the military as reducing political micromanaging and increasing military responsiveness and command flexibility, it also drew repeated criticism for sharply increasing civilian casualties abroad.<ref name=NYTMil>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/19/us/trump-shifting-authority-over-military-operations-back-to-pentagon.html|work=The New York Times|date=March 19, 2017|access-date=February 1, 2021|title=Trump Shifting Authority Over Military Operations Back to Pentagon}}</ref> In 2020, ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]'' reported that, under Trump, "the US military was pursuing a strategy that tolerated a higher risk of bloodshed..." in Afghanistan and that from 2016 to 2019, the number of Afghan civilians killed by international airstrikes increased by 330 percent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/12/after-trump-loosened-the-rules-of-engagement-civilian-casualties-in-afghanistan-rose-by-95-percent/|title=After Trump Loosened the Rules of Engagement, Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan Rose by 95 Percent|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=February 1, 2021|work=Mother Jones}}</ref>

After 2017, civilian casualties caused by U.S. forces in Yemen escalated in "...the most intensive period of strikes in that country by any U.S. president since 2001," according to [[Airwars]].<ref>{{cite news|work=Military.com|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=February 1, 2021|title=US-Caused Civilian Casualties in Yemen at Highest Levels Since 2001, Watchdog Group Says|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/10/28/us-caused-civilian-casualties-yemen-highest-levels-2001-watchdog-group-says.html}}</ref> In April 2017, after approving the use of the [[GBU-43/B MOAB|MOAB]] [[2017 Nangarhar airstrike|on the battlefield for the first time]], Trump commented "What I do is I authorize my military ... We have given them total authorization and that's what they're doing and, frankly, that's why they've been so successful lately."<ref name=NYTMil/>

Trump often boasted of the U.S. military's weapons arsenal to the point of exaggeration, with weapons experts noting Trump's comments in regards to the [[W76|W76-2]] thermonuclear warhead and [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35]] fighter jet in particular as "extravagant" and "sometimes straying beyond reality..."<ref>Robert Burns, [https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-weapons-xi-jinping-archive-vladimir-putin-china-19aefada131d7be2efa682d9cdcd10f2 Trump's talk of secret new weapon fits a pattern of puzzles], Associated Press (September 11, 2020).</ref>

===Overseas presence===
[[File:Trump poses with U.S. soldiers in Ramstein Airbase, Germany, December 27, 2018.jpg|thumb|President Trump and First Lady [[Melania Trump|Melania]] pose for photos with U.S. Airmen at [[Ramstein Air Base]], Germany, December 2018]]
Under the Trump administration, there was a modest decrease in U.S. troop levels in [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021)|Afghanistan]], [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq (2020–2021)|Iraq]], and [[American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war|Syria]] after an initial increase.<ref name name=Giles/><ref name=CrowleyMarchMilitary>Michael Crowley, [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/11/us/politics/trump-troop-withdrawals-war.html Trump's Campaign Talk of Troop Withdrawals Doesn't Match Military Reality], ''New York Times'' (October 11, 2020).</ref> By October 2020, there were 4,500 U.S. ground troops in Afghanistan, 3,000 in Iraq, and 750 in Syria, amounting to almost 10,000 combined.<ref name name=CrowleyMarchMilitary/> Trump's efforts to withdraw additional troops from Afghanistan and Germany were blocked by the [[William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021|National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021]], which limited his authority to withdraw forces from those countries.<ref>Matthew Daly, [https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-defense-policy-bills-85656704ad9ae1f9cf202ee76d7a14fd In a first, Congress overrides Trump veto of defense bill], Associated Press (January 1, 2021).</ref> Trump vetoed this bill, but the veto was overridden.

Trump touted his legacy of being the first president in decades to not start any "new wars", only using legislation passed by previous administrations to conduct ongoing foreign interventions and wars he inherited.<ref name=BBCFinal>{{cite news|work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/55730719|title=President Trump's final day as president fact-checked|date=January 20, 2021|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> The Trump administration [[American military intervention in Somalia (2007–present)#2017|increased drone strokes in Somalia]]<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC|title=US in East Africa: Is it still a safe haven for al-Shabab?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-49908716|date=January 6, 2020|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> and bolstered troop presence in Saudi Arabia and the [[Persian Gulf]] region, particularly during the Persian Gulf crisis against Iran.<ref name name=CrowleyMarchMilitary/>

In February 2020, the Trump administration signed the [[Doha Agreement (2020)|Doha Agreement]], a peace agreement with the [[Taliban]] to conclude the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|war in Afghanistan]] and begin a full troop withdrawal. 

In December 2020, the Trump administration ordered [[United States Africa Command|AFRICOM]] to withdraw 700 U.S. troops from Somalia, dispersing them to other [[East Africa]]n countries such as [[Kenya]] and [[Djibouti]]; U.S. drone strikes and cooperation with Somali forces were expected to continue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.voanews.com/africa/us-military-pulls-last-troops-out-somalia|work=Voice of America|title=US Military Pulls Last Troops Out of Somalia|date=January 17, 2021|access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref><ref name=peril>{{cite book|first1=Bob|last1=Woodward|first2=Robert|last2=Costa|title=Peril|version=audiobook| others = Petkoff, Robert (Narrator) | publisher = Simon & Schuster Audio | year = 2021 |location =5:20}}</ref>{{sfn|Woodward|Costa|2021|loc =5:20}}{{sfn|Woodward|Costa|2021|loc =5:25}}

===Relations with military leadership===
Trump ruptured traditional U.S. norms of [[Civil–military relations|civil-military relations]] and strained presidential relations with military leadership.<ref>Ronald R. Krebs & Robert Ralston, [https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-07-14/civilian-control-military-partisan-issue Civilian Control of the Military Is a Partisan Issue], ''Foreign Affairs'' (July 14, 2020).</ref><ref name=StewartAliHolland>Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali & Steve Holland, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-military/how-trump-fell-out-of-love-with-his-generals-and-why-the-feeling-is-mutual-idUSKCN26E2YV How Trump fell out of love with his generals, and why the feeling is mutual], Reuters (September 23, 2020).</ref> He initially expressed admiration and praise for his generals but began deriding them in both public and private in the later years of his presidency.<ref name=StewartAliHolland/> In 2020, [[Reuters]] observed that Trump grew increasingly irritated when the advice of his generals "ran against his wishes," and that he was "frustrated by the wars he inherited and uncomfortable with an apolitical military leadership he sometimes sees as disloyal."<ref name=StewartAliHolland/> In 2020, Trump publicly derided U.S. military commanders, accusing them of pushing for war to [[Military–industrial complex|benefit military contractors]].<ref name=StarrBrownn/>

''[[The Atlantic]]'' reported in 2020 that while on a visit to France, Trump had disparaged U.S. military personnel, including fallen soldiers, in crude and demeaning language; CNN and Fox News corroborated much of the reporting while Trump denied making the comments. The controversy only further strained his relations with the military late in his term.<ref name=StarrBrownn>Barbara Starr & Ryan Browne, [https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/07/politics/trump-attack-military-leadership/index.html Trump launches unprecedented attack on military leadership he appointed], CNN (September 8, 2020).</ref><ref>Tom Vanden Brook, Michael Collins & Deirdre Shesgreen, [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/10/trumps-relations-military-further-strained-over-loser-remarks/5719981002/ Trump's tensions with the military grow after reports that he disparaged soldiers, generals], ''USA Today'' (September 10, 2020).</ref>

==Surveillance==

=== Withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty ===
{{Main|Treaty on Open Skies}}
In May 2020, Trump said he intended to withdraw the US from "Open Skies", a 2002 treaty between three dozen countries that aims to promote military transparency. Under the treaty, participants are allowed to perform reconnaissance flights to gather information about each other's military activities. The European Union said it hoped the US would not withdraw. In explaining his position, Trump alleged that Russia had violated the terms of the treaty; Russia denied doing so.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Russia says US leaving Open Skies Treaty will hurt security|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/05/26/russia-says-us-leaving-open-skies-treaty-will-hurt-security/|last=Isachenkov|first=Vladimir|date=May 26, 2020|website=Military Times|language=en-US|access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref>

On November 22, 2020, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Council stated via Twitter that the 6-month period is over and the US is no longer party to the Treaty.

==Nuclear policy==
{{Update section|date=September 2021}}{{Main|Nuclear policy of the United States (disambiguation){{!}}Nuclear policy of the United States|Nuclear weapons of the United States}}

During the campaign, Trump said that the U.S.'s control is getting weaker and that its nuclear arsenal is old and does not work.<ref name=Diamond17Dec>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/17/politics/nuclear-triad-donald-trump-marco-rubio-gop-debate/ |title=3 things to know about that nuclear triad |date=December 17, 2015 |access-date=January 14, 2016 |work=CNN |first=Jeremy |last=Diamond}}</ref>

When asked at March 2016 campaign town hall with MSNBC's [[Chris Matthews]] whether he would rule out the use of nuclear weapons, Trump answered that the option of using nuclear weapons should never be taken off the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msnbc.com/hardball/watch/donald-trump-won-t-take-nukes-off-the-table-655471171934|title=Donald Trump won't take nuclear weapons off the table|website=MSNBC|access-date=May 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/03/donald-trump-asked-why-us-cant-use-nuclear-weapons-if-he-becomes/|title=Donald Trump 'asked why US couldn't use nuclear weapons if he becomes president'|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=October 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/03/trump-asks-why-us-cant-use-nukes-msnbcs-joe-scarborough-reports.html|title=Trump reportedly asks why US can't use nukes: MSNBC|last=Belvedere|first=Matthew J.|date=August 3, 2016 |website=CNBC|access-date=October 24, 2016}}</ref>

===Nuclear proliferation===
During the campaign, Trump expressed support for South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia having [[nuclear weapon]]s if they would be unwilling to pay the United States for security.<ref name="Mar29TownHall">{{cite web|url=http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2016/03/29/full-rush-transcript-donald-trump-cnn-milwaukee-republican-presidential-town-hall/|title=Full Rush Transcript: Donald Trump, CNN Milwaukee Republican Presidential Town Hall|date=March 29, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/27/us/politics/donald-trump-transcript.html|title=Transcript: Donald Trump Expounds on His Foreign Policy Views|date=March 26, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=May 25, 2016|quote=It's a very scary nuclear world. Biggest problem, to me, in the world, is nuclear, and proliferation. At the same time, you know, we're a country that doesn't have money....So, the bottom line is, I think that frankly, as long as North Korea's there, I think that Japan having a capability is something that maybe is going to happen whether we like it or not.}}</ref><ref name=Wallace>[http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2016/04/03/donald-trump-fights-to-win-over-women-reince-priebus-on-possibility-contested/ "Donald Trump fights to win over women; Reince Priebus on possibility of contested GOP convention"], [[Fox News]] (April 3, 2016): "At some point, we have to say, you know what, we're better off if Japan protects itself against this maniac in North Korea....My number one choice is, leave it the way it is, but they have to pay us because we cannot afford to continue to lose the billions and billions of dollars that we're losing in order to defend Japan and Germany and South Korea and Saudi Arabia".</ref><ref name=Game>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/04/02/donald-trump-tells-crowd-hed-be-fine-if-nato-broke-up/|title=Donald Trump Says NATO is 'Obsolete,' UN is 'Political Game'|last=Parker|first=Ashley|date=April 2, 2016|website=The New York Times|quote=I would rather have them not arm, but I'm not going to continue to lose this tremendous amount of money....And frankly, the case could be made, that let them protect themselves against North Korea. They'd probably wipe them out pretty quick.}}</ref> He also deemed it inevitable, "It's going to happen anyway. It's only a question of time. They're going to start having them or we have to get rid of them entirely."<ref name="Mar29TownHall" /> Trump's tentative support for nuclear proliferation was in contradiction to decades of bipartisan U.S. consensus on the issue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-tweets-apparent-call-more-us-nuclear-weapons-n699221|title=Trump's call for an 'arms race' flabbergasts nuclear experts|work=NBC News|access-date=March 21, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

===Pakistani nuclear arsenal===
During the campaign, Trump was critical of [[Pakistan]], comparing it to North Korea, calling it "probably the most dangerous country" in the world, and claiming that [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction#Security concerns of the United States|Pakistan's nuclear weapons]] posed a "serious problem". He advocated improving [[India–United States relations|relations with India]] as a supposed "check" to Pakistan. He said that his government would fully cooperate with India in doing so.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/India-is-the-check-to-Pakistan-Donald-Trump-declares/articleshow/49089032.cms|work=[[Times of India]]|title=India is the check to Pakistan, Donald Trump declares|date=September 24, 2015}}</ref>

However, there seems to have been an uptick in relations after Imran Khan came to power. Speaking of Imran Khan in a bilateral summit, Trump said, "I've heard they've made great progress. And under this leader — he's a great leader — I think he wants to make great progress because there's no solution the other way. The other way is only going to lead to death and chaos and poverty. It's all it's going to lead to. I mean, he understands it. Your Prime Minister understands it."<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-prime-minister-khan-pakistan-bilateral-meeting-new-york-ny/|title=Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan Before Bilateral Meeting {{!}} New York, NY|language=en-US|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Presidency of Donald Trump]]
* [[Foreign policy of Donald Trump (2015–2016)|Foreign policy of Donald Trump]]
* [[Trump tariffs]]
* [[List of presidential trips made by Donald Trump]]
* [[International relations since 1989]]
* [[Second Cold War]]

==Notes and references==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |title=Chaos Reconsidered: The Liberal Order and the Future of International Politics |date=2023 |publisher=Columbia University Press |doi=10.7312/ali-20448 |isbn=978-0-231-55626-2 |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7312/ali-20448/html#contents |language=en |editor-last1=Jervis |editor-last2=Goddard |editor-last3=Labrosse |editor-last4=Rovner |editor-first1=Robert |editor-first2=Stacie |editor-first3=Diane N. |editor-first4=Joshua }}<!-- largely about Trump's foreign policy -->
* Bolton, John. 2020. ''The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir'' 
* Congressional Research Service. 2021. ''Canada-U.S. Relations'' (Congressional Research Service, 2021) [https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/96-397.pdf 2021 Report], by an agency of the U.S. government; not copyright; Updated February 10, 2021.
* De Graaff, Nana, and Bastiaan Van Apeldoorn. 2021. "The transnationalist US foreign‐policy elite in exile? A comparative network analysis of the Trump administration." ''Global Networks'' 21.2 (2021): 238-264 [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/glob.12265 online].
* Hall, Jonny. 2021. "In search of enemies: Donald Trump's populist foreign policy rhetoric." ''Politics'' 41.1 (2021): 48–63. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0263395720935377 online]
* Jackson, Van. 2018. ''[[doi:10.1017/9781108562225|On the Brink: Trump, Kim, and the Threat of Nuclear War.]]'' Cambridge University Press; on North Korea
* Jervis, Robert, Francis Gavin, Joshua Rovner, and Diane N. Labrosse (eds.). 2018. ''[https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7312/jerv18834 Chaos in the Liberal Order: The Trump Presidency and International Politics in the Twenty-First Century]''. Columbia University Press.
* Lacatus, Corina, and Gustav Meibauer. 2021. "Introduction to the special issue: Elections, rhetoric and American foreign policy in the age of Donald Trump." ''Politics'' 41.1 (2021): 3–14.
* McDonald, Jared, Sarah E. Croco, and Candace Turitto. 2019. "[https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/702234 Teflon Don or Politics as Usual? An Examination of Foreign Policy Flip-Flops in the Age of Trump]." ''Journal of Politics'' 81.2 (2019): 757-766.
* Manchanda, Nivi. 2021. "Lifting the Veil on Racial Capitalism: American Foreign Policy Before and After Trump" ''ISS FORUM'' July 14, 2021 [https://issforum.org/to/ps2021-46 online]
* Nau, Henry R. 2021. "Trump and America's Foreign Policy Traditions." in ''The Trump Doctrine and the Emerging International System'' (Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2021) pp.&nbsp;71–97 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc7991551/ online].
* Preston, Thomas. 2021. "Deterrence, Compellence, and Containment in the Trump Foreign Policy: Comparing Present and Past Strategies of American Leadership." ''The Trump Doctrine and the Emerging International System'' (Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2021) pp.&nbsp;155–179. [http://dl1.tarjomac.com/books-2021/TPC505143.pdf#page=178 online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715085456/http://dl1.tarjomac.com/books-2021/TPC505143.pdf#page=178 |date=July 15, 2021 }}
*{{cite book |last=Sciutto |first=Jim |year=2020 |title=The Madman Theory |url=https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-madman-theory-jim-sciutto?variant=32117494939682 |publisher=Harper |isbn=978-0-06-300568-6  |ref=none}}
* Sreeram S. Chaulia (2019) [https://www.amazon.com/Trumped-Emerging-Powers-Post-American-World-ebook/dp/B07ZF7QZ5F ''Trumped: Emerging Powers in a Post-American World''], Bloomsbury
* Zelizer, Julian E. ed. ''The Presidency of Donald J. Trump: A First Historical Assessment'' (2022) [https://www.amazon.com/Presidency-Donald-Trump-Historical-Assessment/dp/0691228949/ excerpt]

== External links ==
* {{cite episode|title=America and the Taliban|series=Frontline|series-link=Frontline (American TV program)|network=[[PBS]]|station=[[WGBH-TV|WGBH]]|date=April 4, 2023|season=41|number=12|url= https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/america-and-the-taliban/|access-date=October 6, 2023}}

{{Donald Trump}}
{{presidency of Donald Trump}}
{{United States policy}}
{{Foreign policy of U.S. presidents}}

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[[Category:United States foreign policy|Trump, Donald administration]]
[[Category:Foreign policy by United States presidential administration|Trump, Donald]]
[[Category:Policies of Donald Trump]]
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