Donald Trump's re-election as the 47th President of the United States triggered a shift in the international system from a rules-based multilateral order to a fragmented, transactional framework. This shift was occasioned by the implementation/impact of the ideology of ‘Trumpism’. This study, therefore, examines the contemporary geopolitics and impact of ‘Trumpism’, a political ideology rooted in neo-nationalism, protectionism, and ‘America First’ unilateralism, on the landscape of global governance. By analysing several developments pursued by President Trump, such as the withdrawals from over 66 international organisations, the conflicts in the Middle East, the weaponisation of trade, and the erosion of democratic norms, this study identifies a shift toward a ‘multipolar concert’ system. The study concludes that while Trumpism disrupts established institutions, it simultaneously catalyses ‘soft balancing’ and adaptive renewal among middle- and major-power states and regional blocs. Trumpism has propelled global geopolitical dynamics towards ‘Selective Multilateralism.’ Thus, nations are no longer seeking a single global superpower but are building flexible, ‘mini-lateral’ coalitions based on specific interests rather than broad ideological alignments. The study therefore recommends establishing resilient institutions with viable funding mechanisms while fostering technical and multilateral alliances in areas where the US has overbearing interests to enhance regional integration and cooperation.
NOSAKHARE UGBO (Mon,) studied this question.