While the Trump/Vance White House temper tantrum may have dominated the news, it is merely the latest in a seemingly endless series of recent foreign policy decisions made by the new administration that seriously threaten American national security and influence.
While President Biden was far from perfect on foreign policy when he entered the Oval Office, our global allies were shaken by four years of a President who regularly antagonized them through his use of Twitter. Nevertheless, he left the White House with strong alliances, including new partners in Asia and Africa. More impressively, he achieved this despite a string of international crises in Europe and the Middle East.
Yet, after just over a month in office, the new President has already caused significant long-term damage to America’s standing in the world.
The most obvious examples of this incomprehensible foreign policy are the President’s tariffs on our allies in Mexico and Canada. These tariffs lack a clear economic rationale and jeopardize our relationships with our NAFTA allies. There is little disagreement among economists regarding these tariffs: they will raise costs and harm American consumers. However, the average American is neither a pro-trade neoliberal like myself nor a reader of the Wall Street Journal. Many, even those who recognize the costs of the tariffs, still embrace the idea, believing it will revive the era of American-made industrial policy. But, even if the tariffs (by some miracle) work as intended and restore American manufacturing, I doubt the average American will be better off.
While Mexico and Canada are our most crucial Western hemispheric allies, our most dedicated pro-U.S. and pro-Western allies are in Europe. As China continues its economic ascent, the EU has been our greatest trade partner in countering them. Yet, Trump, who claims to be “anti-China,” has left our European allies utterly disheartened by his actions in Ukraine and around the globe.
The impacts of Europe’s rift with the United States were most clearly displayed in the recent alliance of European countries that recommitted their support to Ukraine in their “Coalition of the Willing.” This clearly appeared to be a response to Trump’s Ukraine policy, with Europe allying for Ukraine just two days later.
However, Europe and the rest of the Western world face a hard choice. Their number one ally, whom they always believed they could depend on, is no longer a reliable partner. In the years since COVID, it is true that major EU economies have significantly lagged behind the U.S. economy, highlighting the U.S. as an even more critical economic partner.
While the President’s aversion to Europe may be devastating for Europe, it will not be any less detrimental for the United States. The President is navigating a perilous path that threatens to leave America without allies and directly in China’s grasp. Furthermore, Trump’s abandonment of Europe does not solely impact Europe; it also signals to developing countries worldwide--being courted by China-- that the U.S. is not a dependable ally to guarantee support.
While there is no question that Trump’s isolationist foreign policy poses a grave threat to our nation, it is also true that we have three co-equal branches of government. I highly doubt the majority of Establishment Republicans endorse these actions, yet few have spoken out, seemingly out of fear of retaliation.
We cannot live our lives in fear because we know that the time is always right to do what is right.
Will Republicans do what is right?
Photo Credit:
[Header]: Thierry Charlier| AFP | Getty Images
[Embedded 1]: Elizabeth Frantz| REUTERS
[Embedded 2}:CHRIS RATCLIFFE | POOL | EPA
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