President Donald Trump is carrying some large foreign policy "baggage" into 2026, according to a new Politico piece flagging the biggest items still hanging in the balance.
Trump kicked off his second term by self-describing himself as a "peace president" dedicated to ending global conflicts. As 2026 dawns, he's saddled with a sprawling foreign policy mess that threatens to collide with voter apprehension about the economy, Politico reported.
The outlet flagged five leftover items Trump will have to grapple with, starting with the looming conflict in Ukraine and a Gaza peace deal that lies in tatters.
The White House has insisted that Trump "ended eight wars" and is delivering on an "America First" agenda. But the reality on the ground tells a different story. Ukraine remains locked in a grinding conflict with a peace deal supposedly in sight, even as Russia and Ukraine disagree on major concessions. Trump's Gaza ceasefire is also crumbling, with both sides accusing the other of violations.
Furthermore, the outlet noted that escalating tensions with Venezuela could lead to a military confrontation, at odds with Trump's anti-interventionist messaging. That comes as Trump openly threatens Iran over unconfirmed reports its rebuilding its nuclear program.
It also comes as China's trade commitments waver, and Taiwan remains a flashpoint.
Trump's foreign policy portfolio is overflowing with crises, each one capable of derailing his domestic agenda or dragging America deeper into costly international conflicts.
And even his own party is wary of what's to come, as "some Republicans are growing antsy at the self-styled America First president’s interest in resolving foreign conflicts," Politico said.
"Polls have repeatedly shown growing concern among voters about pocketbook issues — and a willingness to blame Republicans for them, despite the Trump administration’s insistence former President Joe Biden caused any weakened economy," the report said.
Midterms typically center on kitchen-table issues such as affordability, housing and healthcare. But Trump may spend his political capital on geopolitics.
"Every second term president always wants to further involve themselves in foreign policy and cement a lasting legacy for the history books," noted Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett. "Yet the American public, their priority continues to be the now, their everyday life … affordability, housing, electricity, utilities, education, health care, groceries.