Donald Trump’s America First policy

  BY TAYYEBA MEHBOOB

 

Donald Trump’s America First policy: A path to restoring the global leadership of United States

Only few days to go for US election, and the whole world is desperately waiting for the results because it is not just an election but it is ‘The Election’ which will significantly impact America and other countries like European countries, countries in Middle East, and South East Asian countries. When Joe Biden was in the race of presidential election, there was a high chance of Donald trump success owing to Biden’s deteriorating health and policy failures. However, the entry of Kamala Harris changed the momentum of the US presidential campaign.  Currently, the competition is neck to neck. Election campaign of presidential candidate Kamala Harris comprise of protection of reproductive rights, economic equality, voting rights, healthcare and gun control while the election campaign of presidential candidate Donald Trump comprise of ensuring national sovereignty and security, economic protectionism, strong military, securing borders, reducing foreign entanglements and fostering economic growth. If we look into the details, it becomes crystal clear that Trump in his election campaign is promising the revamping of America’s image as global leader.

How the US election will shape the role of American in globe?

 Indeed US election will significantly shape the role of America in international affairs. The US is an established super power and everybody looks towards her when it comes to important international affairs whether it is the Ukraine-Russia war, Crises in Middle East or tensions in South China Sea. In a nutshell, America is seen as a major player on world stage. So how the results of this election would impact the world politics? If Donald Trump wins the election, he will as usual use its unconventional diplomacy at global stage. As he mentioned many times in his campaign if he was the president, Russia and Ukraine war wouldn’t have started at first place. Along with that, the credit of Abraham Accord-deal between Israel and few Arab countries- goes to him. If he returns to office, he will pursue his old style of personal diplomacy which has higher chances of bringing peace to the crises ridden regions. On the other side of the coin, if Kamala Harris wins the election, her style of diplomacy is yet to be tested. Many of analysts are of the opinion that she will continued Biden’s style of diplomacy but some are skeptical as Biden and Harris both have very different personalities.  

Why America needs the presidency of Trump?

The election campaign of Donald Trump covers both domestic and foreign policies. Supporters believe that Trump's leadership is more consistent with a limited government strategy, putting national security and American economic competitiveness ahead of expansive social programs of Harris’ campaign. Trump is more focused on national sovereignty and security. For this matter, he is the better option between the two of the candidates as he promised to secure Mexican border and will look into the deportations of immigrants which are jeopardizing the national security of America.

Along with that, Trump former presidency depicts that he ensured the ease of doing business in America via his robust economic policies based on reduced corporate tax and less regulations. Resultantly, economic growth and job creation through ‘Buy American, Hire American’ approach was boosted in America during Trump previous presidency.

What are Trump’s foreign policy priorities?

Trump’s foreign policy is based on America First. He is not in favor of America supporting foreign unnecessary wars. He is of the opinion that America should reduce its involvement in long standing costly conflicts. He wants an isolationist approach to secure American tax payers first because he thinks that USA unwavering support of Ukraine and Taiwan is proving really costly to American tax payers.

It was under Trump presidency when the threat of rising China was highlighted.  During his presidency tariffs were imposed on Chinese companies to protect American companies. He initiated to counter China politically, economically and militarily. His economic protectionism policies would be seen as model by those who want to protect themselves from the cons of globalization.  The importance of his economic protectionist measures is evident in the fact that Biden maintained them during his administration in an effort to offset China's increasing economic sway over the US market.

Peace through Strength Doctrine of Trump

Donald Trump wants to regain the previous of image of America to lead the world and ensure peace and stability. For this very purpose he is support of strengthening NATO by making sure that each member country contributes to NATO’s spending. He narrated a conversation with an anonymous NATO member in which he said, “You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent? No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.”  Even President Barack Obama’s defense secretary, Robert Gates, mentioned in his speech in Brussels, warning of “NATO’s serious capability gaps … the military—and political—necessity of fixing these shortcomings if the transatlantic security alliance is going to be viable going forward; and more broadly, the growing difficulty for the U.S. to sustain current support for NATO if the American taxpayer continues to carry most of the burden in the alliance.” It was pledged that each member country would contribute 2% of their GDP but only 11/31 NATO members have fulfilled this promise.

Middle East, the hub of oil, is in chaos. Stability in ME became a distant dream in Biden’s administration. He is terribly failed to bring peace and stability to the hub of oil on which the price of fuel is dependent. In other words, stability in Middle East will ensure fewer hikes in fuel prices. In Trump’s administration, Abraham Accord was signed. Resultantly, Israel got recognized by major Arab countries which ensured stability and peace in Middle East. Along with that, Trump claimed that he was in the office; these current wars would not have started in the first place. He knows how to use his personal/unconventional diplomacy to bring stability and peace to the regions. His unconventional diplomacy yielded tangible results in the past as well.

Why America’s presidential election matters for Indo-pacific?

The emerging powers like China and Russia are keenly observing this election because this election will have significant impact on different bilateral relationships like that of US- China and US Russia. This election will impact the development of indo-pacific region. Many Chinese researchers believes that both the parties of US whether it is Republican party or Democratic party will deal with China the same way to contain China and to prevent it from challenging  US hegemony.