共和党在中期选举中的惨败严重限制了美国总统唐纳德·特朗普的国内权力，使他更有可能将重心转向外交政策。美国领导人往往在总统任期接近尾声、进入“跛脚鸭”阶段时，会加大对全球事务的关注。随着选举结果陆续出炉，选情翻转的幅度已显而易见，特朗普对《金融时报》表示，他没有立即对伊朗采取行动的计划。
Republicans’ thumping defeat in midterm elections sharply circumscribes US President Donald Trump’s domestic power, leaving him more likely to focus on foreign policy. American leaders often increase their attention on global issues towards the end of their presidencies as they enter a lame-duck period. With the scale of the swing already evident as results poured in, Trump told the Financial Times he had no immediate plans to strike Iran.
与此同时，欧洲担心自己可能面对一位受挫的美国总统，对乌克兰的政策尤其不确定，白宫可能会在贸易和防务问题上对欧洲国家施加更大压力。慕尼黑安全会议长期负责人对《政治报》表示：“我们需要做好准备，迎接……更多的尖刻对立。”
Europe, meanwhile, fears it may face a frustrated US president, with policy towards Ukraine especially uncertain and the White House likely to pressure European nations more on trade and defense: “We need to brace ourselves for … more acrimony,” the longtime head of the Munich Security Conference told Politico.
