TO DONALD TRUMP, the current world order is a criminally bad deal for America. He is ready to play good cop and bad cop to fix this. Public enemy number one is China’s economic model, which he has called a conspiracy to steal wealth and manufacturing jobs from America. But allies are prime suspects, too, accused of cheating America in trade while doing too little for America’s national security. Allies from Europe to North America and Asia can expect to meet both the smiling and snarling versions of President Trump, all too soon.
This article appeared in the International section of the print edition under the headline “Donald Trump plays good and bad cop with the world”
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
After decades of rising secularism, Christianity is holding its ground—and gaining among the young
Its plan was to hold off a Chinese attack until America turned up. What now?
MAGA-world flirts with forces that once tore Europe apart
His regime uses payouts to salve Russian families’ grief