US Tariffs and Ukraine War Undermine America's Global Influence

America's tariff strategy, while not crippling its own economy, ultimately failed as effective policy and served as a global alert to US unilateralism. The imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs under Section 232 in 2018, justified on national security grounds, strained alliances and prompted retaliatory measures from key partners. This approach normalized the use of trade tools for geopolitical leverage, a precedent now echoed in other conflicts. The ongoing war of choice in Ukraine extends this pattern beyond economics, threatening global stability not merely through the potential for new unilateral trade blocs—reminiscent of Iran's isolation—but by visibly realigning US strategic priorities. The cumulative effect is a tangible erosion of the normative foundations of American soft power, as predictable rules-based order gives way to transactional and militarized diplomacy.