The article discusses insights from political scientist Abraham Newman and his colleague Stacie Goddard regarding Donald Trump's foreign policy approach, which they characterize as irrational when viewed through traditional lenses of state interests. Instead, they propose that Trump's strategy mirrors elements from the 16th century rather than the 19th century competition among great powers. This emergent theory, termed 'neoroyalism,' suggests that Trump's decisions are not aligned with the strict national interests of the United States, but rather with the personal benefits of a close-knit circle of family and supporters.

According to Newman, Trump perceives Europe not as a partner in a cooperative international system, but rather as a resource that should cater to his family's interests. This perspective leads to the expectation that Europe will pay a so-called 'royal tax' to benefit Trump and his immediate circle, rather than being organized around established alliances like the European Union. Newman emphasizes that this envisioned Europe would be committed to a nationalist project, serving the needs of Trump’s family and inner circle, diverging from collaborative frameworks that typically define transatlantic relations.

The article also touches on broader discussions, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference, elucidating the challenges ahead in re-establishing a renewed transatlantic alliance under Trump. Newman and Goddard's analysis provides a critical lens through which to understand Trump's unconventional methods and their implications for future U.S.-European relations, suggesting that Trump's approach could fundamentally alter the nature of international alliances and cooperation.