John Major on Trump

Sir John Major has voiced significant concern over the shift in the United States' global posture, particularly under the presidency of Donald Trump, viewing it as a retreat from international responsibility. He asserted that Trump's administration represented a form of presidency he had not previously seen, characterized by unilateral action and unpredictability that undermines Western values and emboldens autocratic powers. Major specifically highlighted concerns about Trump's apparent approach to the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that any concession to Russia could be noticed by China and other authoritarian states, leading to a more dangerous world.

He views this trend, which he also links to a growing nationalism, as actively threatening global democracy. Major warned that if the US continues to turn its back on its allies, no other nation-state can fill the vacuum other than China, a prospect he believes the West should not wish for. Furthermore, he condemned specific actions, such as the Vice President lecturing Europe on free speech while appearing to align with Russia's interests. The former Prime Minister feels compelled to speak out because he believes these are issues that need saying but might be difficult for serving politicians to articulate.