By Bob Wekesa

Introduction

Since January 2025, the US global policy has shifted radically. The reset has spared no country or region, including the West. Essentially, the West comprises the US and Europe. It is based on centuries-old transatlantic relations between North America and Europe.

It is not entirely a shocker that the US has changed its relationship with the West since January 2025. Even as the Western alliance has endured decades of political alignment, managing internal schisms has been part of the years-long relationship. The first major shift in recent times occurred during President Donald Trump’s first presidency, 2016-2020. The partnership went through a period of altercations never experienced in decades. The US raised concerns about shouldering a heavier financial burden in defence partnerships and suffering trade relations that favoured alliance partners. Sharp ideological differences also emerged and played out in public during this period.

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