New Delhi: Within a fortnight of taking office, President Donald Trump implemented a flurry of executive orders, pursuing aggressive economic nationalism. Enforcing his campaign promises, he bypassed Congress and took bold decisions, especially in trade, immigration, and foreign relations. Trump imposed a series of tariffs, initiated contentious foreign policy moves, and sought to enforce his hardline stance on domestic issues.
One of Trump’s early actions was imposing a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, citing their role in facilitating the illegal fentanyl trade and illegal immigration into the US. He also introduced a 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods, escalating trade tensions. Linking border security to the fentanyl crisis, Trump blamed Canada and Mexico for enabling the illicit drug trade and illegal migration.
These threats have resulted in Trump gaining negotiating power with these countries, with Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum agreeing to Trump’s demands and sending 10,000 soldiers to the border to curb migration and illegal smuggling of fentanyl.
Trump’s foreign policy included a focus on regaining influence over the Panama Canal, a strategic asset that had shifted its diplomatic allegiance to China in 2017 through the signing of a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deal. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made Panama his first official stop in an attempt to counter Chinese influence in the region. Trump aimed to prevent Panama from extending Chinese concessions related to the canal, considering its critical importance to global trade.
Domestically, Trump faced significant pushback. His attempt to revoke birthright citizenship, protected under the 14th Amendment, was quickly challenged in the courts and has yet to succeed. His effort to defund NGOs that he claimed promoted interests contrary to US values also met resistance, and he was forced to reconsider many of these measures.
A key tactic in Trump’s administration, according to strategist Steve Bannon, was a media-overload strategy designed to overwhelm critics and keep the public’s attention focused on a constant stream of policies and controversies. By flooding the media with new initiatives, the Trump administration sought to control the narrative and keep opponents off balance, preventing them from gaining traction against his proposals.
Trump’s foreign policy emphasises economic coercion, using tariffs and trade restrictions to pressure countries into aligning with US interests. A key example was his dispute with Colombia. When Colombia denied US military flights carrying illegal immigrants, Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on Colombian goods, threatening to double it. Colombia quickly backed down, allowing the flights to land, which Trump hailed as a diplomatic victory.
In episode 1601 of Cut The Clutter, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta discusses Trump’s rejection of traditional diplomacy, and a willingness to use executive power to implement rapid, controversial changes. His confrontational approach to both domestic and foreign issues set the tone for a highly aggressive and polarised administration that is both disruptive on the international stage and divisive within the US.
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