Trump and the Republican Party: electoral defeat, ideological victory?
During Donald Trump’s four-year term, many new Republican candidates have been elected to Congress. Often backed by the former president from the GOP’s primaries, they were chosen for their devotion towards him and their support for his policies : moral conservatism and laissez-faire attitudes towards fiscal and environmental issues are old Republican tenets taken over by Trump, while nativist and economic nationalism (based on anti-immigration and protectionist policies respectively), as well as the portrayal of White people without college degree as an oppressed minority are fresh precepts brought forward by the former populist President.
The China dilemma from Trump to Biden: one consensus and three worldviews
The United States underwent a fundamental transformation in its stance on China during the Trump presidency.
Towards the Second Crusade?
Europeans first grew aware of a possible pandemic exactly one year ago. The wave is here. It has submerged the world, claiming many lives and causing tremendous collateral damage.
Joe Biden's America: the Calm after the Storm?
In the aftermath of the November elections, Ifri's Program on North America held the 19th edition of its annual conference on the United States.
The US-China Trade War: What Is the Outcome after the Trump Presidency?
One of Donald Trump’s campaign promises in 2016 was to end China’s “cheating” on trade and to reduce America's trade deficit by imposing significant tariffs on U.S. imports of Chinese products. This study draws up a first assessment of his policy - and of the "trade war" which stemmed from it.
The Biden-Harris Election: A Respite In View Of What?
I am writing this seventh letter on Sunday, November 8. Yesterday, the world press proclaimed the victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. However, Donald Trump has filed lawsuits in several states, which few people believe have any chance of succeeding. At this point, then, the present occupant of the White House can be said to have joined the narrow circle of one-term presidents. Other immediate observations come to mind.
The American Elections and Beyond
The next few years will be tumultuous ones in the United States. The dependency of foreign policy on domestic policy is unlikely to diminish. Whether in the rivalry with China or the predominance of Israeli interests in Middle East policy, for example, it is hard to imagine Biden taking a big step backward. Many Europeans want to believe that a victory by Obama’s former vice president will signal a return to the good old days of transatlantic consultation and multilateralism.
Trump-Biden Debate Prompts Shock, Despair and, in China, Glee
The chaos of the event has left allies and rivals alike questioning the state of American democracy and the country’s place on the global stage.
Justice and Might
Looking back on the last few weeks, a famous quote by Goethe (from his report on the siege of Mainz in 1793) came to mind: “Better to commit an injustice than to countenance disorder.” In other words, disorder engenders more injustice than it eradicates. But, if one word characterizes the world at the end of summer 2020, it is disorder.
“Trumpism” in Foreign Policy: Vision and Practice
In 2016, Donald Trump ran as the candidate for change, and, once elected, he set about deconstructing the legacy of his predecessors.
What Will US Foreign Policy Look Like After 2020?
The results of the US presidential election in November 2020 are very uncertain.
COVID-19: A Public Health and Geopolitical Shock
The COVID-19 crisis has hit the countries of the European Union (EU) hard.
Embattled at Home, Trump Finds Himself Isolated Abroad, Too
With American cities burning and the coronavirus still raging, killing more people than in any other country, President Trump also has growing problems overseas. He has never before been so isolated and ignored, even mocked.
Allies despair as Trump abandons America's leadership role at a time of global crisis
The United States has scaled back its role on the world stage, taken actions that are undermining efforts to battle the coronavirus pandemic and left the international community without a traditional global leader, according to experts, diplomats and analysts.
U.S. public opinion and the 2020 campaign: an interview with John Zogby
John Zogby, Senior Partner, John Zogby Strategies LLC and Founder, The Zogby Poll speaks about U.S. public opinion and the 2020 campaign on the sidelines of Ifri's 18th annual U.S. conference held on December 6, 2019.
The 2020 Campaign and the Impeachment Process. Conference video
The Democratic Party primary campaign is in full swing and the Impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump proceeds speedily. What is the state of American public opinion less than a year before the elections? How are conservative and progressive media lining up to cover the event?
U.S. Foreign Policy in the Age of Trump
Despite a very particular style, the Trump administration's foreign policy continues on many points the American withdrawal from World affairs which had started under Barack Obama. The main trends of thought of American foreign policy show this evolution, with the resurgence of non-interventionist and even nationalist ideas amongs DC think-tankers.
Does the conservative media unanimously support Trump's 2020 bid?
From the 1920s to the 1980s, the American press followed strict discursive practices based on objectivity and fairness. Starting in the 1930s, the country's political center of gravity was on the liberal side and there were few overtly conservative media.
France vows sanctions if US goes ahead with planned EU tariffs
France and the European Union are ready to respond "with sanctions" if the United States rejects talks over the Airbus trade dispute, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday. "If the American administration rejects the hand that has been held out by France and the European Union, we are preparing ourselves to react with sanctions," said Le Maire.
An interview with Eric Holcomb, Gouvernor of the State of Indiana
During his visit in France on March 7th, 2019, Ifri had the pleasure to realize this interview with Eric HOLCOMB, Governor of the State of Indiana, USA.
Trump, un an après. Un monde à l'état de nature ?
In the week following Trump’s election, Ifri published a study to identify the likely changes in U.S. foreign policy. From the outset, this election appeared as a change in the U.S.’ trajectory, with consequences on the power relations and functioning of the international system.
New Appointments Give Clues on Trump's European Policy: Wess Mitchell nominated for Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Benjamin Haddad, research fellow at Hudson Institute in Washington D.C., reviews Wess Mitchell’s nomination for Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs. According to Haddad, as U.S. President Donald Trump struggles to appoint leaders to his administration, Wess Mitchell, who awaits the U.S. Senate’s confirmation, could be a wise choice.
RAMSES 2018. Will the Information War Take Place?
RAMSES 2018. Will the Information War Take Place?, written by Ifri's research team and external experts, offers an in-depth and up-to-date analysis of global geopolitics.
Trump and the Crisis of American Democracy
Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election is an expression of the crisis of American democracy.
Democratic Deconstructions
Today’s democratic governments appear less legitimate and their longevity less assured than ever.
Le monde selon Trump. Anticiper la nouvelle politique étrangère américaine
What will become of US foreign policy under Donald Trump? A selection of Ifri researchers has come together to offer their thoughts on this question. Our experts cover an array of topics through 14 contributions, ranging from the future Sino-American relations, through US engagement in the Middle East, to the prospects of a renewed transatlantic relationship. This analysis intends to help readers anticipate the outcomes of this election in order to facilitate decision-making.
America First… and Europe Last? What will the Trump Presidency mean for Europe
After the audacity of hope, the rage of hopelessness has thus propelled Donald Trump to the White House. In a tamed but still tragic repetition of history, the economic crisis of 2008 has eventually produced its eventual political outcome, embodied in a farcical show-businessman who proudly cultivates contempt for the liberal institutions of Washington while supporting the authoritarian politics of Moscow. The consequences of this Trump moment will be profound for America, they may be even more crucial for Europe. That American elections are a global phenomenon is not new. But for the first time since World War II, an overtly nationalist, proud protectionist and self declared neo-isolationist will become the leader of the free world.
Trump et l'électorat populaire blanc
Donald Trump won the 2016 Republican primaries thanks to the mobilization of a specific part of the electorate: the white, non-college-educated, lower middle-class.
Trump's Vice President: Attempting to heal the Republican rift
The announcement of Mike Pence as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s running mate on July 15 was decidedly lackluster, if not downright awkward. Far from his normal persona of self-assurance to the point of hubris, Trump seemed uncomfortable and even nervous throughout, shifting plans and issuing contradictory statements in the days leading up to his running mate’s finalization.
As Pence’s name began to circulate last week, Trump signaled his malaise by insisting that the leaks were not a “final, final decision,” revealing his inability to confidently stick to Pence. Trump cancelled his first joint event with Pence scheduled for Friday, citing a desire to pay tribute to the victims of the attack in Nice, France the day prior; regardless, Trump drew attention back to himself and announced his choice on Friday evening anyway, via Twitter. Insiders reported that Trump sought assurance from advisors that Pence was the man for the job, even as Trump’s campaign fielded a last-minute appeal from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
The selection of Pence represents Trump committing himself to the Republican Party and its unification. Alliance building is Trump’s strategy, but drawing in Republicans is risky as it requires shunning others. A polarizing candidate is what Trump feels his campaign needs but comes with the unease of sacrificing his ability to say or do whatever he pleases, Trump’s characteristic trademark.
Présidentielles 2016: le Parti républicain et la politique étrangère
Three Republican presidential candidates have proposed a foreign policy agenda worthy of examination. Marco Rubio (who withdrew from the race on 15 March 2016) and Ted Cruz present well-defined political projects pertaining to different traditions of American foreign policy theory. Donald Trump’s approach is less clear-cut but also less traditional, between isolationism and profitability.
Ifri, a foundation recognized as being of public utility, relies largely on private donors – companies and individuals – to guarantee its sustainability and intellectual independence. Through their funding, donors help maintain the Institute's position among the world's leading think tanks. By benefiting from an internationally recognized network and expertise, donors refine their understanding of geopolitical risk and its consequences on global politics and the economy. In 2026, Ifri partners with over 90 French and international companies and organizations.
