Trump 2.0 and International Law: Terrorism, Territory and Treaties

Abstract:

The second Trump Administration has raised almost daily issues for how the United States views basic principles of international law. This has been particularly highlighted by US conduct in 2026 concerning Venezuela, Greenland, and Iran. The Trump Administration has advanced policies and engaged in conduct that have ignored territorial integrity, head of state immunity, high seas freedom of navigation, and international law regarding the use of force and international humanitarian law. Some of this conduct has been undertaken in response to threats posed by ‘narco-terrorism’, purported Chinese and Russian activities in the Arctic, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This US conduct will be discussed in the context of what this means for international legal system in the era of Trump 2.0.

Speaker:

Professor Donald R. Rothwell BA/LLB (Hons) (Qld) is Professor of International Law at the ANU School of Law, Australian National University where he has taught since July 2006, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law (FAAL) since 2015. His research has a specific focus on law of the sea, polar law, and implementation of international law within Australia as reflected in 30 authored, co-authored and edited books, and over 200 articles, book chapters and notes in international and Australian publications. A 3rd edition of his leading work with Tim Stephens – The International Law of the Sea (Hart) - was published in 2023. He regularly commentates on international law issues, including for Australian and international media including the ABC, The Guardian, The Australian and The New York Times.