Former UK Prime Minister John Major argues that the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA)-era foreign and trade policies of the Donald Trump administration are actively undermining the United States’ once-solid global standing.

 

 

 

In his lecture, Major notes that post-war America championed liberty, human rights and a rules-based international order — an approach that asked for no direct gain, but aimed to uphold a freer, safer world. 

 

Today, however, Major contends, the U.S. has veered towards self-interest: suspending vital aid, imposing aggressive tariffs and alienating allies. For instance, U.S. foreign-aid contributions once prevented millions of deaths annually — a “quiet achievement” that Major sees as under threat from recent cutbacks.

 

Similarly, the administration’s trade strategy, which includes heavy tariffs on imports from allies and developing nations alike, sends a message that big power trumps cooperation. Major describes this as “bullying” by another name and warns it risks corroding trust in the U.S. as a reliable partner.

 

Major warns that unpredictability in U.S. policy weakens the rules-based order that has underpinned global relations since WWII. Allies may now fear unpredictability, smaller countries may lose negotiating leverage, and the perception of America’s leadership — once based on values, now seen as transactional — suffers as a result.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

1. The U.S. shift away from altruistic global leadership (aid, human rights) damages its moral authority on the world stage.

 

 

2. Trade policies oriented around self-interest and tariffs risk branding the U.S. as a bully rather than a partner.

 

 

3. Unpredictable foreign policy from the U.S. undermines the rules-based international system and erodes trust among allies and smaller states.

 

 

 

Original source: https://observer.co.uk/news/columnists/article/maga-is-damaging-americas-reputation

 

 

Absolutely. 

It's tragic for anyone that really cares about the USA.

Coming from the man who sold Britain's sovereignty in 1992 with the Maastricht Treaty, John Major is an uber-globalist who saw his life's work undone with Brexit. No surprise that he's not a Trumpster.

 

Majors and Blair are the architects of present-day Britain - job well done, lads. 

1 minute ago, Gsxrnz said:

Coming from the man who sold Britain's sovereignty in 1992 with the Maastricht Treaty, John Major is an uber-globalist who saw his life's work undone with Brexit. Majors and Blair are the architects of present-day Britain - job well done, lads. 

You are wrong there. Brexit is the downfall of Britain.

Agreed.

 

The USA is on the global nose, and it will take decades for it to be repaired.

 

Making a "mistake" with Trump 1 was understandable, but electing Trump a second time gives more potency to Green Day's "American Idiot[s]".

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Agreed.

 

The USA is on the global nose, and it will take decades for it to be repaired.

 

Making a "mistake" with Trump 1 was understandable, but electing Trump a second time gives more potency to Green Day's "American Idiot[s]".

Well said. Just saw this and was shocked 

no need to have balls just common sense

Good video , but what they don't mention is that Japan has one of the highest debts to GDP ratios.

But they should definitely sell their US bonds.

US keeps adding debt, USD as reserve currency must fail.

The heirs to the nineteenth century American Party, also called the Native American Party. Anti-immigrant, xenophobic, bigoted, and populist.

 

Its adherents were known as "Know Nothings".

 

 

Major’s leadership ended with a 1997 Labour landslide, fracturing the Conservatives for decades. His “Back to Basics” campaign, marred by sleaze scandals, alienated voters, paving the way for Blair’s policies that critics say deepened today’s “two-tier” policing and cultural divides.

4 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Coming from the man who sold Britain's sovereignty in 1992 with the Maastricht Treaty, John Major is an uber-globalist who saw his life's work undone with Brexit. No surprise that he's not a Trumpster.

 

Majors and Blair are the architects of present-day Britain - job well done, lads. 

 

I thought Thatcher was the architect of present-day Britain blah, blah, blah...blow it out your arse?

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

You are wrong there. Brexit is the downfall of Britain.

 

The downfall of Britain is due the dozy, feckless, lazy and indolent little Britishers who crave the splendor of Empire lost and cheap, boozed-up weekends in Benidorm while letting serial governments of either political leaning sleep walk them into a bleak and hopeless future.

 

They're even crap at cricket.

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Absolutely. 

It's tragic for anyone that really cares about the USA.

 

Anyone that really cares about the U.S.A. voted for President Trump and is celebrating his many major accomplishments. Those who do not care about the USA are out in the street protesting the rule of law and wearing furry costumes while comparing our great President with a King. 

Leftist Protesters Spotted Wearing Frog, Cat, Dinosaur Costumes at ‘No Kings’ Protests

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/18/leftist-protesters-spotted-wearing-frog-cat-dinosaur-costumes-at-no-kings-protests/

 

 

3 minutes ago, Screaming said:

 

Anyone that really cares about the U.S.A. voted for President Trump and is celebrating his many major accomplishments. Those who do not care about the USA are out in the street protesting the rule of law and wearing furry costumes while comparing our great President with a King. 

Leftist Protesters Spotted Wearing Frog, Cat, Dinosaur Costumes at ‘No Kings’ Protests

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/18/leftist-protesters-spotted-wearing-frog-cat-dinosaur-costumes-at-no-kings-protests/

 

 

I think you have it backwards.

6 hours ago, Bacon1 said:

Today, however, Major contends,

 

Let's keep in mind that this is ONE man's opinion .   The anti Maga group on this forum will surely shout "  that's right"  .

And of course those here and in the US  who applaud all that they see as great accomplishments and being saved from the disaster of the Democrat led agenda, well ..... they will just see Major's opinion as very wrong .

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Absolutely. 

It's tragic for anyone that really cares about the USA.

Its actually really tragic that people dressed up like idiots that attend anti-President Trump rallies are allowed to vote. But then again they really do not care about the USA and only themselves.  

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

 

The downfall of Britain is due the dozy, feckless, lazy and indolent little Britishers who crave the splendor of Empire lost and cheap, boozed-up weekends in Benidorm while letting serial governments of either political leaning sleep walk them into a bleak and hopeless future.

 

They're even crap at cricket.

+1 However, you forgot the promotion of foreign invasion. 😂

1 hour ago, Keep Right said:

Its actually really tragic that people dressed up like idiots that attend anti-President Trump rallies are allowed to vote. But then again they really do not care about the USA and only themselves.  

 

Looks way more fun than dressing up like Rambo, driving around in a black Suburban and going all SWAT on mostly honest, hard-working folk.

The 20th century was The American Century.  And now it's gone.

 

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that he told Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato that the Trump administration expects Japan to stop importing Russian energy.

 

"Minister Kato and I also discussed important issues pertaining to the U.S.-Japan economic relationship and the Administration's expectation that Japan stop importing Russian energy," Bessent said on X, after the two met on Wednesday.

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/bessent-says-us-expects-japan-stop-buying-russian-energy-2025-10-16/

 

 

Shirley, Trump can fix their little samurai wagon!

 

The United States imposed an oil embargo on Japan in July 1941, freezing Japanese assets and cutting off oil exports.

 

Fortunately, Trump is NOT a student of history, and won't repeat embargoes, tariffs, freezing assets..........oh, my!