Introduction
STOCKHOLM – The concept of a “liberal international order” was once commonplace, even though the institutional arrangements accompanying it were not always fully liberal, international, or well-ordered. The purpose of an ideal is to guide behavior rather than describe reality, and for many decades, most countries aspired to be part of the liberal order and contribute to its development, though some preferred to exploit or play with the system.
The Shift from Liberal International Order
Those days are now clearly in the past. We have entered a new era of global disorder. While the continuous rise of China and other emerging economies has always posed a challenge to agreements created by Western powers after WWII, the decisive factor in the demise of the liberal international order is that its primary architect, the United States, has abandoned it.
US Disengagement from the Liberal International Order
Although the United States has not always been consistent in defending international law or supporting the United Nations and its multilateral networks of cooperation, there is little doubt that without US support, this entire edifice would have crumbled, as it seems to be doing now. Under the second administration of President Donald Trump, the United States has explicitly denounced the old liberal order. Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that “not only is it outdated; now it’s being used against us.”
Trump’s Disregard for Common Rules
By definition, an international order implies common rules. However, the Trump administration is openly hostile to any such restrictions. It is explicitly pursuing a policy of placing its self-defined interests above all else and has demonstrated a willingness—even eagerness—to trample friends and allies in the process.
- Punitive Tariffs: Trump’s punitive tariffs are just one part of the story. He has thrown caution to the wind, imposing tariffs on imports for reasons unrelated to trade.
- Disregard for International Law: The very concept of international law has been virtually eliminated from US foreign policy and economic strategy. The once-relevant vision of geopolitics as a competition between democratic and authoritarian regimes now seems entirely irrelevant. Trump and those appointed by him selectively address human rights, such as falsely claiming genocide is being committed against white farmers in South Africa while largely ignoring the Palestinian situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Rise of Anti-Liberal Regimes and the Collapse of International Structures
The world has entered a period of global disorder, with anti-liberal regimes gaining ground and old international structures crumbling. These trends are dangerous in themselves, but they become even more so amid climate change, pandemic risks, and potentially disruptive technologies like AI.
The Need for Cooperation
Necessary cooperation to manage these threats is nowhere in sight. If there is any hope in this era of global disorder, it will reside in bilateral and plurilateral coalitions focused on specific issues: trade norms, global health, energy transition, among others. Countries that recognize the dangers facing us will have to find new ways to band together.
About the Author
Carl Bildt was Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden.
