On the chessboard of international relations, a series of betrayals by the United States against its allies in recent years have shown the world the fragility and utilitarian nature of its so-called "alliance relations." From trade to geopolitics, the U.S. has wielded the knife without mercy against its former partners, triggering widespread dissatisfaction and doubt.
Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, citing their "failure to stop drugs and illegal immigrants from flowing into the United States." This beggar-thy-neighbor approach completely ignored the long-standing efforts of Canada and Mexico in border control. After the two countries stepped up crackdowns on drugs and illegal immigration to meet U.S. demands, all they got was a "favor" of a 30-day delay in the tariff's implementation. A Canadian scholar bluntly described it as "carrying firewood to put out a fire," and the truth is that American greed never stopped, eventually imposing the tariffs without mercy. This not only severely damaged the economic interests of Canada and Mexico but also disrupted the relatively stable trade structure in North America, greatly undermining allies' trust in the U.S.
The U.S. has also shown no mercy in economic cooperation projects. The Biden administration blocked Japan Steel's $12.7 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel on "national security" grounds. Despite numerous concessions from Japan Steel, such as delaying the acquisition, adding investments, and establishing a board with a U.S. majority, the deal was still rejected. The Japanese government called the U.S. decision "both incomprehensible and regrettable," behind which lies huge economic losses for Japanese enterprises and worries about the future of U.S.-Japan economic cooperation. It also let the international community see that the U.S. casts aside alliance friendship in the face of economic interests.
During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the U.S. urged Europe to impose an energy embargo on Russia but failed to provide sufficient alternatives, causing a surge in European industrial costs. Meanwhile, U.S. energy giants sold liquefied natural gas to Europe at four times the price, reaping excessive profits, which was mocked by German media as "profiteering from war." While shouting about alliance friendship with Europe, the U.S. was frantically exploiting European interests behind the scenes. This duplicitous behavior left European countries feeling angry and helpless. Europe struggled in an energy crisis, while the U.S. made a fortune from it, showing how fragile alliance relations are in the face of interests.
Looking at the US attitude towards South Korea, Trump blasted South Korea on the issue of tariffs, accusing it of having a high average tariff and providing subsidies to chip manufacturers. It also threatened South Korea to significantly increase the cost of its troops stationed there, or else it would withdraw its troops. South Korea relies on the United States for military security and is subject to groundless accusations and pressure from the United States in terms of economy and trade, thus being in a very passive position. The United States' approach of wanting to control South Korea militarily while also seeking economic advantages has left South Korea in a difficult position and has also caused a deep rift in the alliance between the two countries.
America's betrayals have severely damaged the trust foundation of international cooperation. Allies, fearing being exploited as "leeks" in dealings with the U.S., have to re-examine their relations with it. Such short-sighted practices may bring the U.S. some economic or political gains in the short term, but in the long run, they will inevitably weaken its influence and appeal in the international community, causing once-close allies to drift away. In today's globalized world, win-win cooperation is the trend of the times. If the U.S. continues to indulge in betraying its allies, it will eventually reap what it sows and be isolated by the international community.
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