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Trump's ‘overtrump’ and historical comeback

Published : Friday, 8 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 274
Alok Acharja
Ending all speculation, Donald Trump is the 47th President of the United States. This marks a historic event in the two-and-a-half-century history of the United States, as such a phenomenon has only happened once before. Former U.S. President Grover Cleveland lost his re-election bid in 1888, only to win again in 1892 and return to the White House. Now, 132 years later, the United States has witnessed a similar repeat of history, this time through Donald Trump. After losing to Joe Biden in 2020, Trump had to leave the White House. But now, after four years, he has returned to power in Washington, securing a landslide victory.

Trump, who is nearing 80, was confident in his victory from the outset, proving once again that age is no barrier to political success. The U.S. election results have global implications, and this one has turned expectations upside down. Trump first came to power with the slogan "Make America Great Again," but after his defeat by Biden, the outcome led to protests and the January 6th Capitol Hill riots, calling into question the state of American democracy. He returns to office at a time when the world is teetering on the brink of war, with the specter of World War III looming large. In such precarious times, a single misstep or wrong decision could lead to global destruction. However, Trump has repeatedly stated that if he were in power, he would prevent such a war. In his victory speech, Trump reiterated that he would work to stop wars rather than start them. His campaign focused on economic issues and immigration-what many see as his "Trump Card"-and its influence can be seen in the election results.

But many questions remain. What will happen to Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine, especially since the Biden administration has provided substantial financial and military support to Ukraine? Will Trump's administration continue this policy or shift course? America's deep friendship with Israel is another longstanding aspect of U.S. foreign policy, and under Trump, this alliance is unlikely to change. But how will Trump deal with Iran, especially since his first term saw the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, and that issue remains unresolved?

Climate change was a significant topic during Trump's first term, with his administration pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement. As the COP29 conference approaches, how will the United States position itself in terms of the global climate fund and its role in freeing the world from fossil fuels? Trump did not prioritize issues like climate adaptation and mitigation during his first term, and it remains to be seen whether he will change his stance this time.

Trump's popularity with the American people is often attributed to his "America First" policy, which emphasizes U.S. economic interests. This policy has had a profound impact on the country's relationship with the rest of the world, especially China. The first term of his presidency was marked by a trade war with China, and relations between the two countries have since deteriorated further. It is clear that the world has changed since Trump last left office. The U.S. has endured the COVID-19 pandemic, and the international landscape has been significantly altered by Russia's military actions in Ukraine. With the world in flux, the question is whether the U.S. will continue to assert its influence, or if new global dynamics will reshape America's role.

The global situation is not static, and as the U.S. faces challenges from Russia and China, economic turmoil, and the aftermath of a pandemic, domestic policies may remain constant, regardless of who occupies the White House. The Russia-Ukraine war has become a central issue for the United States. Trump, in the past, has suggested that if he returns to power, the U.S. will not engage in any new foreign wars, nor send troops abroad to fight. The question now is whether he will follow through on that promise, especially if the war in Ukraine continues. If U.S. aid to Ukraine stops without halting the conflict, Ukraine may face grave consequences.

Trump has also vowed to resolve the Gaza conflict and address all international crises that have escalated under President Biden's administration. His diplomatic focus, particularly in the Middle East, will be crucial. China has recently increased its influence in the region, challenging U.S. dominance. This shift in global dynamics calls into question America's role and leadership in the Middle East. Today's world is increasingly multipolar, with countries developing relationships with multiple global powers instead of relying on the dominance of a single country. This evolving international order suggests that the U.S. must play a strategically important role, fostering cooperation even where there are conflicts on certain issues.

International analysts believe that if Trump wins the election, there will be a major shift in U.S. foreign policy. The U.S.-China relationship is likely to undergo significant change. Trump has already announced plans to increase tariffs on Chinese goods, which could trigger a new trade war. He also aims to impose restrictions on Chinese ownership of U.S. real estate and infrastructure, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. His approach to Taiwan, where he strengthened ties between the U.S. and Taiwanese diplomats during his first term, angered China. Last year, Trump declined to say whether the U.S. would intervene if Taiwan were attacked. 

There are many more areas of foreign policy to watch, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Trump's stance on these issues, as well as his approach to allies and defense spending, will be critical. During his first term, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with U.S. contributions to various international initiatives and sought to reduce spending by shifting more of the burden to U.S. allies. His views on NATO and other international institutions will likely play a significant role in his second term.

As we await Trump's return to the presidency, it remains to be seen how his policies will shape the future of the United States and the world.

The writer is an Essayist and Columnist



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