Paul Hosford: Trump’s America goes it alone — and the world is left to pick up the pieces

Trump’s return to power has thrown global diplomacy into chaos, as world leaders struggle to navigate his unpredictability

Just weeks into his second presidency, Donald Trump has doubled down on his refusal to acknowledge the rules of international engagement. Picture: Pool/AP 

During the 2016 Republican primaries, when Donald Trump’s candidacy still had more of an air of publicity stunt than a genuine political campaign, one thing confounded his political opponents when it came to debates — his unpredictability.

How do you debate with someone who doesn’t recognise the same rules of engagement, who calls opponents liars, and comes up with nicknames on the spot?