Trump Diplomacy: A New Challenge for U.S. Ambassadors?

Current policies propagated by the Trump administration are seemingly adding more complexity to the tasks of United States diplomats serving overseas. Uncharacteristically, within recent days, top-ranking U.S. diplomats in France and Denmark were required to heed diplomatic complaints directly from their host countries. This represents a shift from the norm. Greenland, under Danish jurisdiction, has beckoned the acting U.S. ambassador following intelligence indications of subtle U.S. instigations toward defiance against Danish governance.

Similarly, the fresh U.S. ambassador to Paris was called upon following an open rebuke of the Macron administration for its perceived shortfall in addressing anti-semitism. Unconventional Trump diplomatic stratagems forgo conventional propriety and courtesies, opting instead for direct and even confrontational negotiating: a stance that highlights power dynamics. The notion promoted is that if Trump oversees the larger entity, his expectations should be met.

Moreover, when a foreign government continues to hold a contradictory stance to his policy, he appears to endorse initiatives, as observed in Greenland, that pressure government reshuffles or publicly coax a deviation in their standpoints. This represents a novel gambit in U.S. diplomacy. Subsequently, these unfolding events lead to inquiries: What constitutes the exact responsibilities of an ambassador abroad, and what is the appropriate conduct of diplomatic relations?

Even though there are protocols, etiquettes, and procedures governing international diplomatic relations, they aren’t always adhered to strictly. The Vienna Convention of 1961, aimed at standardizing diplomatic engagement, elucidates that ambassadors need to be given due respect as emissaries of sovereign states. This respect extends to the awarding of fitting diplomatic privileges and providences.

Alternatively, in reciprocation, they should exhibit respect toward the host nation, refraining from public denunciation or direct interference in its domestic matters. Commonly, official complaints between nations are expressed through a diplomatic communicative instrument termed as a ‘note verbale,’ via a systematic protocol known as a ‘démarche.’ This is typically performed by an ambassador in relation to the host government, or the embassy involved may have its ambassador summonsed to the foreign ministry to interact with the foreign minister or another senior figure.

In addition to such communication, ambassadors can also be convoked due to improper conduct by their assigned team or fellow citizens residing in the hosting nation. Instances may arise in which they may need to discern cases related to the repatriation of their personnel for engaging in activities that contravene their designated roles. If the relationships with the host country further decline, severe measures may be carried out, from having an ambassador deemed as an unwelcome individual—persona non grata—to straight-out expelling, or formally recalling them for discussions.

The ultimate punitive action in diplomatic relations is to sever all diplomatic ties completely, recall all personnel, and shut down the embassy. During the era of the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union were occasionally engaged in dispatching more agreeable governments in other countries. However, ambassadors were often excluded from such operations, which were instead managed by other divisions within the government.

Undeniably, diplomacy has always been closely intertwined with respective power dynamics. Yet, even dominant powers have recognized the relevance and benefits of abiding by a certain set of rules, leading to the continued operation of institutions like the United Nations. Despite the prevailing political climate, diplomacy persists.

With the ongoing trial of the realpolitik approach of the Trump era, it remains unclear whether such tactics will yield superior results for the American populace compared to the traditional diplomacy strategies it seeks to replace.