Abstract
Donald Trump’s return to office in 2025 has ushered in a wave of executive orders that have rippled across the globe, with particularly acute effects in the
developing world. This article explores how the recalibration of U.S. foreign policy under his administration marked by funding freezes, multilateral withdrawals, and trade protectionism has disrupted healthcare, climate initiatives, foreign aid, trade relations, and migration flows in Africa, Asia, and
Latin America. Through a detailed review of policy reversals and their on-the-ground consequences, the authors illustrate how vulnerable populations
now face heightened insecurity, from the collapse of HIV/AIDS programs to stalled climate finance and strained global health systems.Moreover, the article highlights how Trump’s preference for bilateralism over multilateral engagement risks weakening collective bargaining power among developing nations. While some leaders view this realignment as a call for self-reliance and reform, the broader sentiment captured here is one of urgency: developing countries must adapt swiftly, diversify alliances, and build resilience to navigate an increasingly uncertain global order.
