- Under Trump, the US has become an untrustworthy global leader, abandoning its role as a reliable 'trusted third party' in international relations.
- Trump's erratic trade policies, such as tearing up NAFTA and imposing chaotic tariffs, have alienated allies like Canada and discouraged deal-making.
- The US's weaponization of financial systems (e.g., SWIFT) and tech infrastructure (e.g., Office 365) is pushing other nations to build post-American alternatives in finance, military, and internet.
- Building a post-American internet is challenging but feasible, focusing on extracting data, replacing firmware, and bridging new systems, though hindered by trade deals that ban reverse-engineering.
- Critics like John Quiggin argue that Europe and others are surpassing the US in military and manufacturing capabilities, reducing reliance on American power.