If Donald Trump’s international policy were represented as a game of chess, each piece on the board would reflect the key countries and issues that shape his agenda.
From his “America First” mantra to his strained relationships with rivals and strategic allies, his approach seems inspired by calculated moves, tactical sacrifices and direct attacks that seek to maximize his influence both domestically and internationally.
In this game, the king, the piece that embodies the axis on which all strategy revolves, is the United States. For Trump, protecting the United States means not only guaranteeing its national security, but also reinforcing its economic and energy supremacy.
Its emphasis on border control, reindustrialization and energy independence underlines the priority of keeping the “king” safe and well defended. Every action on the board is aimed at consolidating this central position, even if it means sacrificing minor pieces or destabilizing historical alliances.
The queen, due to her versatility and reach, represents China. On Trump’s board, China is the most formidable and omnipresent rival, encompassing economic, technological and geopolitical challenges. During his first term, the approach towards China manifested itself in an aggressive trade war, technological restrictions and a constant discourse about the threat it represents to the US-led international order. In his second presidential term, Trump will maintain a confrontational stance, strengthening strategic alliances in the Indo-Pacific and promoting a policy of decoupling in key sectors such as artificial intelligence and telecommunications.
Towers, pieces associated with defense and control, can be linked to topics such as border security and the protection of strategic routes. In this context, Mexico and the Panama Canal acquire particular relevance. Mexico, as an immediate neighbor, is seen by Trump as a primary line of defense against threats such as irregular migration and drug trafficking. As for the Panama Canal, its importance lies in its role as a critical point for global maritime trade. Trump has made it a priority position to defend against China’s growing influence in Latin America, especially given Chinese interest in the region’s port infrastructure.
The bishops, associated with diagonal movements and long-term perspectives, represent the strategic focus on the Middle East, particularly Israel and Saudi Arabia. During his first term, Trump cemented alliances in the region through initiatives such as the Abraham Accords, which reinforced Israel’s position as a key ally. Likewise, Saudi Arabia was a strategic partner in energy and military policy. Both countries will be fundamental pieces starting next January 20, 2025 in a strategy aimed at containing Iran and maintaining stability in a region vital to US interests.
On the other hand, the horses, with their unpredictable movements, symbolize Trump’s relations with strategic partners such as the European Union and India. Europe, often criticized by Trump, would be a tactical rather than strategic partner, subject to adjustments based on American priorities in trade and defense. India, on the other hand, could establish itself as an ally in the Indo-Pacific, sharing common interests in containing China.
Finally, the pawns represent domestic issues and relations with countries of lesser geopolitical weight, but which are crucial to feeding the narrative of their electoral base. Issues such as the promotion of fossil energy, religious freedom and the fight against the “culture of political correctness” occupy this space on the board, as do relations with Venezuela and Cuba, used as political tools to ensure the support of Latino voters in key states.
Overall, Trump’s playing style would be defined by his aggressiveness and ability to make bold decisions, often controversial, but designed to reinforce his control of the board. In this scenario, each piece serves a specific purpose in its vision of a foreign policy aimed at the direct benefit of the United States. Their game of geopolitical chess does not seek to preserve global balance, but rather to ensure that the “king” remains safe, even if it means sacrificing pieces or sparking conflict elsewhere on the board.
International politics can be understood through the prism of chess, where each move and each piece reflects priorities, ambitions and risks. In the case of Donald Trump, the chessboard is a battlefield where victory is not measured in terms of strengthened alliances, but in the ability to consolidate the power and influence of the United States in the face of an increasingly competitive and fragmented world. .
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