How can distrust breed more distrust? (rpolitical world)

When members of the political world exhibit distrust of each other, it can lead to further distrust, creating a vicious cycle. When one country or leader distrusts another or is unsure of another's intentions, they may take preemptive measures such as increasing military presence or enacting protective trade policies. This can lead the other country or leader to feel threatened, resulting in their own defensive measures. Over time, these defensive measures can become part of the ongoing cycle of mistrust, creating an atmosphere of fear and hostility. As this cycle continues, it can lead to an escalation of tensions between countries or leaders, furthering the divide between them and making it even more difficult to resolve issues.