Trump and Global Peace: Can It Be Achieved — By Him or Anyone?

Can Trump bring global peace?

When it comes to global peace, the world has always been a stage of complex narratives, conflicting interests, and ambitious leaders. Among the most controversial figures in modern politics is Donald J. Trump — a man who redefined political communication, challenged global alliances, and left a mark on the international stage. But the question remains: Can Trump — or anyone — truly achieve global peace?

The Trump Doctrine: America First

Donald Trump's foreign policy was famously rooted in the “America First” doctrine. This approach meant prioritizing U.S. interests above all else — often to the frustration of allies and global institutions. He pulled out of international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal, and took a transactional approach to NATO and trade relationships. Critics argue that this isolated the U.S. and eroded trust. Supporters claim it recalibrated global expectations of America's role.

Interestingly, Trump also made history with unexpected moves: initiating direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, brokering normalization deals between Israel and several Arab nations (the Abraham Accords), and pushing NATO countries to increase their defense spending. These were bold, if not always successful, attempts at reshaping global dynamics.

Peace as a Political Ideal

Global peace has always been an elusive goal. The nature of nation-states, human ambition, economic interests, and ideological divides make the idea of a fully peaceful world seem idealistic. Can any one leader, no matter how powerful, bring about a peaceful global order?

Trump's style — confrontational, unilateral, and often improvisational — does not fit the traditional mold of a peacemaker. Yet, his unorthodox methods did sometimes lead to unexpected breakthroughs. The Kim summit in Singapore, though ultimately inconclusive, broke a 70-year taboo. The Abraham Accords — negotiated with Jared Kushner at the helm — showed that diplomacy could still thrive in unconventional ways.

Limitations of Leadership

Even the most capable, charismatic, or well-intentioned leader is bound by the limitations of global geopolitics. The United Nations, international law, economic dependencies, cultural divides, and military deterrence all shape the chessboard. Peace isn't just about signing treaties — it's about sustained cooperation, long-term trust, and mutual respect. That’s hard to maintain with shifting administrations and changing national interests.

In this light, expecting Donald Trump — or any single individual — to bring about global peace is perhaps misguided. It takes a coalition of nations, visionary leadership across borders, and institutions that outlast any one term or tweet.

Can Anyone Do It?

If not Trump, then who? The answer may be: everyone and no one. Peace is a collective goal. Presidents, prime ministers, and diplomats all play a part. So do citizens, activists, and even businesses. True peace demands not just agreements, but justice, equity, and sustainability — across regions and generations.

So, can Trump bring global peace? Unlikely in the traditional sense. But can he be part of a global process that pushes the needle forward? He already has been — whether through cooperation, confrontation, or disruption.

Trump’s approach to peace — if we can call it that — was never about harmony. It was about leverage. About deals. About power. Whether that method can coexist with a peaceful global order is still up for debate.

Global peace remains one of humanity’s noblest dreams. It may not come from a golden handshake or a charismatic leader. But every effort — even the imperfect ones — pushes us closer.

The task isn’t just Trump’s. It’s ours.