EBN- The world is preparing for a second term for US President-elect Donald Trump, at a time when the United States is suffering from deep polarization on many internal and external issues, starting with taxes, immigration, abortion rights, and trade, passing through tensions in the Middle East and their regional and international repercussions, as well as the Russian-Ukrainian war , and others.
Trump’s approach remains “chaotic and unpredictable.” and his proposed policies are expected to have far-reaching implications, not only within the United States, but globally as well.
Trump became the second US president to serve two non-consecutive terms, repeating the achievements of his predecessor, Stephen Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th presidents of the United States.
Foreign policy
Trump has often described his foreign policy in vague terms, preferring slogans like “America First” to offering detailed plans.
His platform included threats to impose “punitive” tariffs on imports in an attempt to correct the trade deficit, extract payments from allies in exchange for U.S. protection, and be “more kind” to strongmen like Russian President Vladimir Putin .
China …harsh trade restrictions
During his campaign, Trump said he believed China posed the “biggest threat” to American economic prosperity.
Trump’s plans to impose a global 20% tariff on all imports are an assault on American foreign policy traditions, and tariffs on China could be much higher with his threats of 60 to 200%.
In addition to being inflationary and damaging to the US economy, such moves are likely to lead to retaliation, trade wars, and disruptions to the global economy and trade, and may also hamper global efforts to transition to a carbon-free economy.
Last September, Trump said at an event in Michigan that “tariffs are the greatest thing ever invented,” and promised that if he became president again, he would impose comprehensive tariffs of up to 20% on imports, and up to 200% on cars from Mexico , in an attempt to encourage American manufacturing.
Such matters, however, do not matter much to Trump, who plans to repeat Washington’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement , roll back environmental protections implemented by President Joe Biden , and allow the unfettered exploitation of American oil and gas reserves through unregulated hydraulic fracturing.
Trump’s plans are expected to add tons of additional carbon emissions to the atmosphere if implemented, and are also likely to significantly undermine global efforts on climate change.
Europe.. Security and economic concerns
In a previous report, the British newspaper, the Financial Times, indicated that the biggest security concerns for European Union officials in the short term are related to how to continue supporting Ukraine if Trump stops the flow of weapons that played a “vital role” in helping Kiev repel the Russian invasion.
The British newspaper reported that the European Union provided significant financial support to Ukraine, but American weapons stockpiles and capabilities are much larger than those of European countries.
The newspaper quoted informed European sources as saying that there is no possibility for the European Union armies to provide what the United States offers.
EU officials are also deeply concerned that the Trump administration will lift sanctions on Russia , which would raise questions about how much economic pressure the EU can put on Moscow without U.S. support, even if Japan , Britain and other allies keep sanctions in place.
Officials have expressed fears that Trump’s threatened tariffs could reduce EU exports to the United States by about €150 billion a year.
