We are witnessing a new era of US imperialism

Within just three weeks of taking office, US President Donald Trump has managed to tear up the rulebook that has ensured American hegemony since the Second World War. When he called Gaza the potential “riviera” of the Middle East and announced that the US would “own” the Palestinian enclave, he basically humiliated his country around the world.

The US has achieved its global power status through the rhetoric of championing democratic values in the face powerful authoritarian states, such as Russia and China. It is for this reason that we must not dismiss Trump’s arrogance as the musings of one man. Rather, his words and actions mark a monumental shift in global politics, one in which US imperialism is no longer the elephant in the room.

While some have long believed that America operates as an empire, it has maintained plausible deniability for the past century by presenting itself in the guise of a democracy-fostering force. In other words, the US has crafted its actions and messaging carefully in such a way that allows it to deny accusations of imperialism, even when its policies clearly serve to expand its global influence.

For example, during the 2000s, the George W Bush administration justified its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by insisting on the importance of appearing to respect international law. Barack Obama’s administration then sought to distance itself from Bush’s democratic rhetoric. Instead, he appointed legal advisors like Harold Koh to rewrite US federal laws in ways that protected US intervention in Syria. Both administrations perpetuated American imperialism, yet both understood the necessity of maintaining a democratic façade for the global stage, and the necessity of “abiding” by international law.

Trump doesn’t hide his contempt for international law.

He has even imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court and its officials for issuing warrants for the arrest of Israeli officials on war crimes charges.

Trump’s administration has ushered in a new era of US foreign policy, abandoning any pretence of democracy, which has often been used as a legal shield for US expansionism. While Trump’s campaign has positioned itself strategically as being opposed to foreign intervention, his administration’s actions tell a different story. His aspiration to “own Gaza” contradicts the non-interventionist image that he has tried to cultivate. At the same time, his senior officials have adopted a more aggressive and confrontational approach towards long-standing allies, openly challenging the democratic values that once underpinned US hegemony.

READ: Israel withdraws from UN Human Rights Council, following US lead

Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference exemplified this shift. In an unprecedented move, Vance did not reaffirm America’s historical commitment to defending democracy; instead, he criticised European nations for their handling of free speech and populist movements. By condemning the prosecution of far-right activists and dismissing Europe’s concerns about external threats like Russia, Vance signalled a break from the decades-old alliance built on shared democratic values. This rhetoric suggests that the US is no longer interested in maintaining the illusion of moral leadership; that it now seeks to reshape global power dynamics on its own terms.

Vance’s speech and Trump’s statements confirm that the US is no longer attempting to justify its interventions under the banner of democracy. It is now embracing a new, more blatant form of dominance, and being quite open about it. The most important question now is simple: what will this new era of empire mean for the world today?

It will certainly put an end to debates about whether the US is building its empire.

Academics like Noam Chomsky and Michael Parenti have sounded the alarm on American imperialism for decades, but their critics have remained vocal and widespread. Now, their critics will struggle to argue against the obvious, as Trump’s policies openly undermine the sovereignty of other states, the fundamental principle that every state has the exclusive right to govern itself without external interference. Sovereignty is a cornerstone of international law, ensuring that nations can make independent political, economic and military decisions. However, imperialist policies, by definition, violate this principle by imposing external control over other states, whether through military force, economic coercion or political influence. By disregarding state sovereignty — whether in Palestine, Europe or beyond — Trump’s administration is engaging in imperial behaviour in its most explicit form.

The material consequences will prove detrimental for all, as America actively dismantles international legal standards and protections. Its withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council signals what lies ahead.

The silver lining of this dark cloud is that, as America isolates itself, it inadvertently unites the world in opposition. Even long-time allies, such as European nations, have begun distancing themselves from Washington. The Reagan-Thatcher coalition once worked to solidify these alliances, but Trump’s administration has already wrecked them. As his team pushes “America First”, European leaders have responded with “Europe United” in Paris this week.

Now, the world has the potential to reduce US influence, but alternative organisations and alliances must emerge, and soon. Whilst Europe has responded quickly to form its own alliances, it is vital for the Global South to echo the same strategy. US hegemony may be nearing its end but, at the same time, we must beware of any multipolar powers that rise in its place.

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