The Bunker – News without the nonsense At war with everyone – Who’s actually running US foreign policy?
Feb 10, 2026
David Rennie, Geopolitics editor at The Economist and former Washington and Beijing bureau chief, unpacks the shift in US foreign policy. He discusses the 2025 national security strategy, Trump-era nationalist narratives about Europe and immigration, competing factions over China versus Europe, and the rise of transactional, deal‑driven diplomacy.
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Strategy Ditches Ideology For Trade And Europe Bite
- The Trump administration's national security strategy dropped ideological democracy-promotion in favour of trade and hostility to Europe.
- That shift surprised capitals because it reframes allies as unreliable and focuses on immigration-driven critiques.
Immigration Used To Push Against Allies
- The administration frames Europe as an unreliable partner by linking immigration to insecurity and civilizational decline.
- Embassies were instructed to gather immigrant-crime data to pressure allies on border controls.
Trumpism Marries Personal Bias And New Nationalism
- Trumpism blends his long-held prejudices with an organized nationalist right that opposes the EU and democracy-promotion.
- Figures like Steve Bannon connect US and European far-right movements to undermine EU sovereignty.