Munich Report: Trump's 'wrecking-ball politics' threatens global order

A major international security report has issued a stark warning that U.S. President Donald Trump's "wrecking-ball politics" is actively destroying the international order established after World War II. The Munich Security Conference (MSC) report, released ahead of its annual gathering, argues the Trump administration is dismantling the rules-based system it once led, with profound consequences for global stability.

An 'Elephant in the Room' Disrupting Global Norms

The report's cover features an elephant, symbolizing the Trump administration as the disruptive "elephant in the room" in global affairs. It states the U.S. now disregards foundational norms like territorial integrity and the prohibition of force, citing actions from Greenland to military strikes in multiple countries. "If the leading state fails to abide by the underlying principle... the already ailing system faces total collapse," the authors caution. They frame this not as a policy adjustment but a fundamental belief that the post-1945 order no longer serves U.S. interests.

Rise of Anti-Establishment Movements and European Insecurity

The analysis links Trump's approach to a broader rise of far-right, anti-establishment movements in the West that fuel a "culture war" against liberal internationalism. This shift, it warns, risks creating a world governed by transactional deals and regional hegemons rather than universal norms. For Europe, Washington's "volatile" approach—oscillating between reassurance and coercion—has heightened insecurity. A related survey found strong majorities in Germany, France, Italy, and the UK believe Trump's policies are bad for their countries and the world, with many viewing the U.S. as a less reliable NATO ally.

Calls for European Unity and Bold Defense of Institutions

In response, the Munich Security Report urges European states to bolster unity, develop independent defense capabilities, and forge new strategic partnerships. It concludes that defending the international system now requires as much political courage and innovation as those seeking to dismantle it. "Effectively pushing back against the demolition men requires much more political courage and innovative thought," the report states, calling for a robust defense of multilateral institutions.