# Commentary: US allies need a plan for a lame-duck Trump

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/commentary-us-allies-need-a-plan-for-a-lame-duck-trump/
- Published: 2026-11-07T22:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T22:26:24+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/us-midterms-lame-duck-president-trump-foreign-policy-6530601
- Topics: Americas, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Trump’s post-election foreign policy remains unpredictable.
- His personal interests may be a better guide than his powers.
- Ukraine and Europe still face uncertainty over US security support.

## Summary

After Republicans lost control of both houses of Congress, some US allies fear Donald Trump may turn to foreign policy to retaliate or reinforce his legacy. The article argues that his next moves are uncertain, and that allies should judge them chiefly by what Trump believes will benefit him personally.

A renewed war with Iran could undermine Trump politically and damage relations with Gulf leaders, though escalation remains possible if Iran rejects the current uneasy status quo. Ukraine and Europe remain exposed to a possible US withdrawal of security support, while Trump still wants the image of a peacemaker; the article says the barriers to a Ukraine deal have not changed.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.