A view of global power with a gangster's eyeListen to this articleThere is a method behind the apparent madness of US President Donald Trump's transactional, spheres-of-influence approach to geopolitics and the global economy. Setting aside the profound moral and legal issues raised by Mr Trump's strategy, can it actually work? Relative stability, such as it was, rested on a combination of overwhelming military power and a framework of global rules and institutions designed to keep geopolitical rivalries in check. While Mr Trump's bullying may produce some short-term concessions, it is deeply counterproductive. These problems are compounded by Mr Trump's broader economic agenda, which continues to prioritise fossil fuels over emerging technologies like renewables, electric vehicles, and battery storage.

Source: Bangkok Post January 20, 2026 00:32 UTC