From Iran to India: How Trump's midterm loss could affect America's foreign policy

NewsWorld NewsUS NewsFrom Iran to India: How Trump's midterm loss could affect America's foreign policy From Iran to India: How Trump's midterm loss could affect America's foreign policy Edited by Prisha Patnaik / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Nov 04, 2026, 19:27 IST Why the world is watching Trump's loss closely (AI-generated image) US President Donald Trump has faced the blues this midterm election, with Democrats sweeping both the House and Senate.

As the president sees red over his party’s defeat, governments around the world are watching warily, weighing how the shift in congressional power could reshape Washington’s foreign policy and its approach to conflicts and alliances across the globe.Iran: Khamenei says US midterm results will not change Washington’s hostility Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said changes in the US political landscape would not alter Washington's hostility towards Tehran, after Republicans suffered setbacks in the midterm elections.“If anyone still hopes for a change in behaviour or a shift between political parties and factions in the system of domination, they are gravely mistaken,” Khamenei said in a written message published on his official website on Wednesday to mark Iran's annual November 4 anti-US commemoration.The message warned against making concessions to Washington, arguing that the US sought Iran's “unconditional surrender” and that any compromise would invite further demands and military attacks.

It also portrayed Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz and against US military bases in the region as evidence that American military power was not invincible.“Any repetition of aggression will take on far broader dimensions,” the message said.

The Democratic takeover of Congress presents Israel with a set of challenges that extend beyond the immediate impact of the midterm elections, with uncertainty over Trump's Iran strategy, growing criticism of Israel within the Democratic Party and the political calculations surrounding the 2028 presidential race all potentially shaping ties between Washington and Jerusalem.The first concern is how Trump responds to the electoral setback and the political costs of the war with Iran.

Analysts quoted by the Jerusalem Post suggest there are two possible paths, either one of renewed diplomatic efforts and concessions to Tehran, or a short but intense military operation aimed at declaring victory and scaling back US involvement.The new balance of power in Congress could pose another challenge.

Democratic control of both chambers would give the party greater influence over committee leadership, legislative agendas and congressional scrutiny of Israeli policy, including the war in Gaza and US military assistance.The longer-term question is how the midterm results shape the Democratic Party's approach to Israel ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

Candidates who have been openly critical of Israel have seen electoral success with Israeli analysts fearing that politicians such as Zohran Mamdani and Abdul El-Sayed, alongside a new generation of Democratic lawmakers, could become reference points for candidates seeking support from the party's base.

Even a nominee who does not share the most critical positions may face pressure to take a tougher line towards Israel.India: Weakened Trump could push harder for trade deal The Republican defeat could give Canada greater leverage in its trade negotiations with Washington, with Canadian PM Mark Carney indicating that the Trump administration had already begun softening some of its demands ahead of the midterm results.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Commonwealth leaders' meeting in Antigua on Tuesday, Carney said the White House was “asking less and offering more”, adding that Washington had shifted its position on some of Canada's “red lines”.

Canadian federal and provincial officials had been hoping that a Republican setback would strengthen Ottawa's negotiating position, CBC News reported.However, Canada's former ambassador to the US, Kirsten Hillman, cautioned the Carney government against changing course abruptly, saying it should continue constructive discussions if they were moving towards an arrangement acceptable to Canada.The election outcome also raises questions about Trump's ability to advance his domestic agenda.

While Democrats will control both chambers of Congress and could pursue legislation on tariffs and other policies, Trump retains significant executive powers and can veto bills passed by lawmakers. A Democratic-led Congress could therefore constrain his agenda through investigations, legislation and scrutiny, but would not automatically be able to reverse his policies.Europe: Democrats may offer a check on Trump, but uncertainty remains The Democratic takeover of Congress could give European allies greater room to push back against Trump's approach to Ukraine, Russia and Nato, but it is unlikely to fundamentally alter Washington's foreign policy, with the president retaining considerable authority over diplomacy and military deployments.Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Democrats have broadly supported military assistance to Kyiv and tougher sanctions against Moscow.

A Democratic-controlled Congress could make it harder for Trump to ease sanctions on Russia or pursue policies that weaken support for Ukraine.However, the electoral setback could also push Trump to focus more heavily on foreign policy, where he retains greater executive authority.

This could mean renewed efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, potentially without adequately accounting for Kyiv's position.The implications extend to European security and Nato. The Pentagon is reviewing the US military presence in Europe, with Trump favouring reductions in the number of American troops stationed on the continent.

While Democrats have pledged...