“Trump signals to Putin a desire to divide the world”: diplomat Bryza on U.S. foreign policy

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

“Trump sees the world differently than you and I. He doesn’t understand or believe that Putin genuinely believes what he himself has written — that Ukraine has no right to exist as an independent state and is, in fact, part of Russia. Trump doesn’t believe that if Putin achieves his goals in Ukraine — God forbid — he will then go further and challenge NATO, including the Baltic states that are members of the Alliance. I am absolutely convinced that this is, in fact, Putin’s plan. But Trump doesn’t believe it. 

And, as I’ve already mentioned, he thinks that Europe should take care of Ukraine, of itself, and of Eastern Europe. He is convinced that the U.S. has funded Europe’s defense for the past seven decades, while Europeans have not invested in their own security. And here, I agree with him: Europe really does need to invest more in its own defense,” Bryza explained.

The diplomat believes that Donald Trump did not impose tariffs on Russia because he is trying to restore relations with Putin. According to his worldview, it is the U.S., Russia, and China that should set the rules in the international security system.

“In my view, Trump frankly doesn’t care what happens to Europe. He gravitates toward a vision of the world similar to the order after the Congress of Vienna in 1815, when great powers decided the fate of smaller ones. That’s exactly why he shares a certain affinity with Putin — because Putin sees the world the same way. 

Perhaps that’s why Trump didn’t impose any sanctions or tariffs against Russia or Belarus, but did impose them on America’s closest allies. I think this is his way of signaling to Putin: ‘Let’s carve out the world between us. Let the big powers — Russia, the United States, China — set the rules.’ And the smaller countries will be left to fend for themselves, with all responsibility for European nations falling on Europe,” he added.

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs

On April 2, President Trump announced tariffs at least 10% on nearly all goods imported into the United States. These tariffs are set to take effect on April 9.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged countries targeted by tariffs not to take immediate retaliatory actions, believing it would lead to escalation.

Soon after, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency to "boost competitiveness, protect sovereignty, and strengthen national and economic security."

However, within a day of Trump imposing new tariffs, the combined wealth of the world’s 500 wealthiest people dropped by $208 billion.

Later, British company Jaguar Land Rover announced it would halt car shipments to the United States for a month due to the 25% tariff imposed by President Trump. Audi made a similar decision.

On April 7, Trump announced that if China did not lift its 34% tariffs by April 8, the U.S. would impose even higher tariffs on Chinese goods. The next day, the United States introduced 104% tariffs on Chinese products.

On the same day, Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU had offered the U.S. zero tariffs on industrial goods after Trump’s tariff imposition.

On April 9, U.S. President Donald Trump described his global tariff policy as a “war against the world” but later backpedaled, saying it was "not a war at all."