HAVE YOUR SAY
THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY
How do you view the implications of the Trump presidency on the free world?
Sri Lanka Business Magazine
How do you view the implications of the Trump presidency on the free world?
Another professional wrestler probably from World Wrestling Federation has entered in to the wrestling game which is often mistakenly called politics in the USA. He displayed his moves right from the beginning of his campaign and continues to do so upon being elected to the most powerful office of the free world. Being a Sri Lankan, I personally prefer Donald trump to Hilary Clinton, based on their different political view two towards our country. Trump coming in to power may be heralded as a victory to Sri Lanka, as began displaying his professional tricks.
During his campaign, he openly began to throw mud at his competitor and her supporters, without practicing politics worthy of a gentleman. As such, he lent the impression that he was quite unaware of what he was stating. He places the blame on Muslims and the Mexicans, without formulating a clear plan for his people, which would outline the current issues faced by the USA. His policies towards immigrants will have a huge impact on the economy and industry, as the USA depends quite heavily on the contribution of migrants towards its economy.
Since accepting this office, his intention seems to be that he wants to prove that he is different from the others. By accusing media and Muslims and then praising the President of Russia, is another of his fake wrestler moves.
The very people those who voted for him have begun to call him a liar and a deceiver. But I feel that the Americans may be too late. But as spectators we need to sit back and enjoy another great wrestling show. Only Trump is aware of who would win the match after the third count, as it’s all previously planned action.
Within the first two months of Donald Trump taking over the reins as the US President, he has made drastic moves using the executive powers. Trump has positioned himself as the defender of the “forgotten people” of America.
The question on everybody’s lips is, whether Trump, with his controversial actions, can turn tables on the rest of the world and bring in the desired economic benefits to the American people.
Trump has already taken steps to close the door on neighbouring nations. We are aware that many world organisations have been established to improve trade ties between nations and thus bring in the required benefits. Although US is one of the super powers in the world, it may not be able to stand out as the supreme power, forcing other nations to bow down to it.
It is observed that there are other controversial directives initiated by Trump, which will have drastic consequences, giving rise to disharmony among nations and different communities, both in the US and other countries.
In this free world, nations must advocate in building bridges to strengthen trade and other ties and not build walls.
Every US president is an exemplary figure and has their own agenda and propaganda depending on their personality. This includes their way of managing public relations, dealing with communication channels, international relations and stabilising trade, economic and military powers.
It is noteworthy that all these US presidents have one thing in common – that is they stirred speculations and ruled to the tune of the American politics, exercising and expanding their power and taking control over the world.
Much like other candidates, Donald Trump did not make a silent appearance when he entered politics, aiming for presidency. His period in candidacy formed the base for speculations and straightforward communications. He has been a bold communicator with his words, policies and body language. Trump too looks as if he is regulating financial access in a way to serve his business associates – a bias intervention of the businessman cum politician.
In this backdrop, there is a high propensity for the forces of a free world to be once again disturbed and influenced for uncertainty.
Travel, tourism and international trade will be directly hit by Trump’s restricted movements in trade protectionism and travel bans on some countries. Employment, manufacturing and service sectors will also be affected indirectly. To date, America has been interpreted in a number of ways: a nation suitable to obtain a permanent residency status to work and live in; a state to obtain a prestigious American education from and a country of sophisticated people and culture.
Many seek greener pastures in America: to travel for leisure or find employment for career growth in a setting that is world class. In a nutshell, all these visits have fed into the economy of America and lifted it to its flourished state.
America has been in the limelight – bold and one of its kind.
Does Trump presidency mean that all this glory will be shattered?
As with all presidential candidates around the globe who come into power, it is too early even guess the ‘what would be’ outcome.
Well, Trump can be praised in spite of the countless prejudices. He doesn’t appear to be the arouser for trajectories that lead to bad news every time.
According to Bloomberg, the employment growth rate which was stagnant during the Obama administration has recorded a 235,000 growth in jobs per month in the US. This is about a 100,000 more jobs estimated. Furthermore, there is a noticeable growth in labour force participation. Both of these were at much lower levels during the Obama regime.
Another impressive highlight is that the massive US debt which had been accumulated since the George Bush regime, amounting to US$ 20 trillion is recorded to have fallen by US$ 68 billion since Trump became the president.
To end in a positive light and not engulf in scepticism (what else as the solution for potential drawbacks), every dark cloud has a silver lining.
Why the world is highly concerned and worried over impacts from (any) US president is simply because the US can shock or rock the world and global economy. When a US presidential election is around the corner, and when a new president arrives, speculation keeps on accumulating and spreading in many directions throughout the world.
This situation is quite different with a developing country like Sri Lanka whose identity and growth are not identified in terms of the ruling president. US constitutes of almost half of the world, be it in terms of geographical space, geopolitics or military power.
Trump who is trying to ‘make America great again,’ is an experienced businessmen and less experienced politician, who is bound to set some records (in addition to being the eldest US president). So there will be a gap to bridge, in terms of outlook and approach. He will somehow prove that he is worthy of his votes. As such, we can look forward that he would make viable decisions overall, as long as they are rich in strategic flavour for the United States of America.
The concept of a free world originated during the cold war era in the aftermath of the World War II to indicate a discernible divide between a democratic and non-democratic bloc. But, right from the beginning, the idea was ambiguous. In 1959, Nikita Khrushchev, Soviet Premier famously remarked, “The so-called free world constitutes the kingdom of the dollar.” So, who exactly was a member of the free world would lie in the eyes of the beholder.
When we weigh on the implications of the Trump presidency on the free world, we can’t ignore the ambiguous origin of the concept and the stark realities of the so-called constituents and the leader of the free world. In my humble opinion, the free world is a popular concept rather than a political reality. So, based on this loosely defined concept, I don’t believe President Trump, with his scathing criticism of NATO, his protectionist trade policy, his anti-minority sentiments & advocacy for anti-immigration, his scepticism of climate change and his political courtship (an infatuation of sorts, some would say) with the controversial Russian Premier, can any longer be considered the leader of the free world if there’s ever been such a leader or such a world at all.
To be honest, my personal belief is that his naïve and parochial political vision spells unprecedented trouble not only for the so-called free world, but also for the whole world including, ironically, the United States of America herself because what’s continuing to unfold is a classic case of a monkey playing with a straight razor. But, then again, everything is unprecedented until it happens for the first time.
With the prevailing status of Trump brand, international travel and trade may be directly affected and slow down.
Trump (with his television personality instincts) will set the ground for many transformations to take place or to watch for.
Ever since he entered presidential candidacy, Trump has been the cynosure of all eyes of the world which eventually reflected upon the US and its economy. So the terms Trump and US are interpreted and used interchangeably.
The free world in which America used to play a dominant and an outgoing role now seems to have made a restrictive move. Where geographical, economic and market forces are concerned, the US seems to shy away from the versatile economic and trade practices. What matters is that the US is not adopting for conventional practices but ones that are subjected to controversy and overrating.
The unpredictable and debatable agendas and announcements of Donald Trump have caused waves of alarm. Even Trump’s national security advisor resigned and the subsequent nominee seems to stay away. There may be doubts in terms of flexible trade, economic practices, as far as the international trade is concerned. This can affect the amount of goods that are imported and exported from the US. The market forces may influence price levels in an adverse manner, and the growth of entrepreneurs and investments may be affected.