Key Takeaways:
– Donald Trump believes leverage is a vital tool in international politics.
– The former president supports the use of tariffs and pressures to protect American interests.
– Critics argue that such tactics make him a bully, yet these methods can help face countries like China, Russia, and Iran.
– Some question why the Biden administration is seen to be less assertive in applying such tactics.
– Trump’s strong defense of American interests is seen to be a more stable approach than Biden’s.
Leverage Matters in Diplomacy
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed a clear stand on global politics. Different from previous American presidents, Trump strongly believes in the use of leverage. He thinks that countries going against American interests deserve to face retaliatory actions including being threatened with tariffs.
Let’s break it down some more. In the marketplace of products, if a country decides to close its doors to American goods, Trump suggests that tariffs should make them rethink their move. If they try to affect the American market negatively, say, by flooding it with harmful substances like fentanyl or manipulating prices, they should face the same threats.
Yjre Necessity of Assertive Actions
Looking around the world, we find nations like China, Russia, and Iran unafraid of wielding their power. China, under the helm of Xi Jinping, has no qualms about using military threats against countries like the Philippines or Taiwan. Similarly, Vladimir Putin isn’t reluctant to invade his neighbors or disrupt oil supply to his adversaries. Iran, on the other hand, has been using its proxies to spread terror across the Middle East.
Now, you might be asked, “Should America also resort to such tactics?” Well, Trump seems to think so. He voices an aggressive approach in defending American interests on the global stage.
The Role of American Power
For some reason, this approach seems to baffle members of the Biden administration. They appear only willing to apply pressure to America’s allies but seem to hold back when dealing with America’s enemies. Trump’s administration argues that playing nice only aids these antagonistic nations in their pursuits against America.
For example, China doesn’t threaten the South China Sea out of spite due to America’s naval presence there. Even without American forces, China’s threats would probably just achieve more success. Similarly, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was not due to Western influence; without it, Ukraine might have been treated like Belarus long ago. Iran doesn’t spread terrorism because of America’s presence in the region; it uses terror as a tool to manipulate its surroundings.
The Battle of Interests
So, where does this leave America? Like all countries, America has its own interests to protect. Whether they involve economic matters or regional stability, these interests require a firm stance. According to observers of Trump’s diplomacy, if America refuses to pursue these interests forcefully, power-hungry nations could start tearing the world apart.
In summary, Trump’s logic contends that the pursuit of American interests offers benefits beyond just national gains. It is also about the world’s stability and growth in the face of challenges. While it doesn’t make America the world’s policeman, it does put the country in a better position to shape global dynamics.