It is now official – US President Donald Trump has turned his back on the world.
The newly sworn in US leader has released a slew of executive orders, memoranda and proclamations that turns American place in the world on as we knew it, on its head. Just hours after taking oath of office, President Trump pulled the US out of the WHO.
He has also directed the world’s largest economy to exit the Paris climate agreement.
From threatening to take territories of other countries; push to rename oceans and keep immigrants out of the US, Trump’s second term has sent shockwaves across the world.
Take, the WHO edict, for example. The US contributes more than 20 per cent of the global health agency’s budget and the withdrawal will have serious implications for global health governance and response.
It is disheartening that Trump’s action comes just as the world shakes off the vestiges of Covid-19 pandemic, a global health crisis that brought forth the importance of international synergy in combating pandemics and other health emergencies.
Climate crisis has become the most consequential existential threat facing humanity today. As Trump took the oath of office, climate-induced killer wildfires had reduced most exclusive Los Angeles areas to ashes.
The only predictable thing about President Trump appears to be his unpredictability.
With restive audiences both at home and abroad, how should the world manage relations with and expectations from the ‘new America’? First, it is regrettable that Trump is fast stripping the US of its allure and potential in shaping global governance discourse that benefits all.
The US constructive engagements are crucial to solving many development challenges facing the world today.
Yet, in Trump’s eyes, only America deserves prosperity, a gospel that goes against the grain of aspirations of the majority of the UN family.
Fortunately, the US is no longer the centre of the universe.
America is no longer the strongest source of consequential technologies. It is not the largest market; neither is it home to natural resources needed to fuel technologies and industries of the future.
Therefore, Trump and his America needs the world as much as the world needs them. Secondly, Trump’s indifference to international development cooperation is a good, particularly for developing countries.
Instead of waiting for US aid, emerging economies must now work on strengthening domestic systems that can deliver sustainable development.
Thirdly, there is no vacuum that US retreat under Trump leaves in global governance. New champions of inclusive and utilitarian forms of multilateralism such as China have proven their willingness and capability to lead modern forms of international relations that deliver.
While Washington is hoisting ‘America First,’ doctrine; Beijing is speaking win-win and shared prosperity for countries.
China’s signature projects such as Belt and Road Initiative have impacted the world through trade, infrastructure development, financial inclusion, investments and cultural pluralism.
As the largest source of green energy technologies including electric vehicles, Beijing’s role in shaping a new climate friendly world is clear.
Trump has ushered in a new wave of instability and unpredictability in US foreign policy whose impacts will be felt long after he leaves office.
By Dr Adhere Cavince, a scholar of international relations
