US-China Hegemony Struggle Reshapes Global Order

The geopolitical landscape of 2025 has been defined by a fundamental shift in global power structures. The return of Donald Trump to the presidency has effectively signaled the end of an era dominated by US hegemony and international institutions. This transition has accelerated the competition between the United States and China for global supremacy.

Europe finds itself caught in the middle of this power struggle, facing a 'dual assault' that challenges its sovereignty and stability. While Russia exerts military pressure on the continent, the United States is reportedly engaging in political, cultural, and commercial offensives against its traditional allies. The upcoming year, 2026, is poised to reveal the long-term consequences of these shifts, as the world moves away from the interconnected global system of the past decades toward a more fragmented and competitive environment.

The year 2025 has been characterized as the burial of a specific historical phase. This period was marked by the expansion of globalization and the construction of a complex web of international institutions. For decades, the international order relied on the hegemony of the United States, which was heavily supported by robust alliances in Europe and Asia.

The political resurgence of Donald Trump has served as the catalyst for closing this chapter. The new administration's approach has dismantled the consensus that supported the previous global framework. As a result, the world is entering a new phase characterized by uncertainty and the reconfiguration of established norms. The coming months are expected to provide critical insights into how this new era will evolve and which powers will successfully navigate the turbulent environment.

The core dynamic of the current geopolitical shift is the intense pulse for hegemony between two superpowers. The United States and China are engaged in a comprehensive competition that spans economic, technological, and military domains. This rivalry is reshaping global supply chains and diplomatic relationships, forcing nations to re-evaluate their strategic alignments.

This competition is not occurring in a vacuum; it is the primary driver of the reconfiguration of international relations. The struggle for supremacy is viewed as the defining feature of the new historical stage. As the United States reorients its foreign policy under the new administration, and as China continues its rise, the bipolar tension is expected to intensify throughout 2026, creating a volatile environment for international diplomacy.

Europe is currently facing a unique and complex set of challenges described as a dual assault. This pressure is coming from two distinct directions simultaneously, placing the continent in a precarious position regarding its security and political autonomy.

The first front is military in nature and originates from Russia. This ongoing threat requires significant defensive resources and strategic focus from European nations. The second front is described as political, cultural, and commercial, originating from Washington. This represents a shift where the United States, rather than acting as a protector, is now viewed as a source of friction for Europe. The convergence of these two pressures suggests that Europe must navigate a complex path to maintain its stability and independence in the face of external influence.

Looking ahead to 2026, the strategic landscape suggests a continued erosion of the traditional transatlantic alliance. Reports indicate that the White House explicitly considers the European Union an adversary. This perception is driving a strategy that aims to cultivate resistance against the EU by supporting nationalist and populist formations within the continent.

This approach signals a departure from decades of US foreign policy that prioritized a united Europe. Instead, the current strategy appears to favor a fragmented Europe that is easier to manage or negotiate with on bilateral terms. The implications for European unity are significant, as internal political divisions could be exacerbated by external support for populist movements. The key question for 2026 is whether Europe can maintain its cohesion in the face of this dual assault or if the continent will fragment under the pressure of military and political challenges.