Abstract
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election marks his return to the White House, making him the second president in U.S. history to serve non-consecutive terms. His win, supported by a coalition with Senator J.D. Vance and a shift in key swing states, reflects a deep transformation in voter sentiment driven by economic grievances and dissatisfaction with the Biden-Harris administration. This article analyzes Trump’s second-term domestic and international policy directions, focusing on economic nationalism, aggressive trade measures, deregulation, and a shift from multilateralism to transactional diplomacy. Central to his approach is confronting China through tariffs, semiconductor technology, and strategic decoupling, reshaping global economic dynamics. His skepticism towards traditional alliances and global institutions introduces uncertainty in international relations. The article also explores the implications of these policies for Kazakhstan and Central Asia, highlighting Kazakhstan’s strategic position amidst U.S.-China tensions and potential U.S.-Russia rapprochement, presenting both opportunities and challenges for careful geopolitical balancing.