Daily Times

In this era of globalization, Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ slogan seems to be out of box,perhaps, with no significant benefits to the nation. At the time, when the world is moving towards the global village, Trump is moving against the wind. Trump’s policy is isolating the US in this era of globalization.

Perhaps, Trump is not in a mood to lead the world, he prefers America only than paying attention to global issues and challenges. The problem with the ’America first’   policy is that it is not driving the US out of problem instead it is creating more complexity for America. Moreover, this policy of President Trump is paving way for both China and Russia an opportunity to lead the world. If Russia and China capitalize this opportunity US role in global politics would be on stake.

Trump has cancelled many multilateral agreements including Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Iran Nuclear Deal and it had also not yet signed global agreement of climate change. The Trans –Pacific partnership 12 member countries to help the economic activities in the region was cancelled by US soon after Trump took the office. This move further more minimized US control over Asian pacific region. Just after this adventures trip Trump with his ‘’America First’’ policy landed at Tehran Airport and cancelled’ Iran Nuclear Deal’. Trump went against his allies France and UK and canceled this agreement which opened the race for proliferation of nuclear arms in the region. Similarly, Trump moved its embassy to Jerusalem to strengthen its relations with Israel at the time, when the UN Security Council vote on this move was clear indication that the whole world is standing against the shift of American embassy to Jerusalem. This controversial move will ignite the flames of new war between the Arabs and Israel putting, perhaps, final nail in the coffin of Two State solution. On the other hand, the future of NATO is also not clear as Trump is not interested in what he describes as ‘’ Services without bills’’.  Last year, Trump pressurized all the NATO members for 2% of their GDP for the NATO. Moreover, the lack of the US interest for NATO, which is proving ultimate deterrence to Russian invasion of European countries such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania left serious concern for security of these countries. For many European countries, Russia is not the big threat to them but non-conventional threats such as Cyber-attacks, Terrorism, Nuclear proliferation and border management.

Likewise, ‘’America First’’ policy is not limited to the geo-political interests but it also covers economic sector as well. Trump has imposed heavy tariffs on import of aluminum and steel from the EU, Canada and Mexico without looking at the difference between the worth of imports and exports between them. There exists  trade worth $1.2 Trillion annually between the US and Canada. Canada has already threatened to place tariffs on imports from US in retaliation. Such blunders are creating more problems for US and it will create more economic problem for the the US, if the  EU join the list to place tariff on the US. Moreover, these countries will have an option to extend their sympathies to Russia and China. If Trump keeps going with policies like ‘America First’, this will definitely isolate the US in the global power politics.

The writer is student of Media and Communication at International Islamic University, Islamabad.