“America first” has global implications

It is no news that Donald J Trump, a Republican, billionaire and business mogul is now the president-elect of the USA. He becomes the 45th President of the USA.  The world didn’t expect Donald Trump to win the heatedly contested election between him and the Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The world including those Americans who voted for him was probably dazed by Trump’s victory at the polls. This is because of several disturbing comments Trump made about Mexicans, Muslims, and Africans during election debates. Donald Trump’s emergence as the president-elect of the USA, can best be described by a biblical expression that “a pharaoh has emerged who will not recognize the Tribe of Joseph.”

“America first”

The phrase “America first” is from the USA president-elect Donald Trump. For me, it simply means “I before others.” A few Americans that I know and relate with are accommodating, not selfish. That is why those who relate with Americans worldwide are concerned that America’s president-elect is an epitome of egocentric ideology. It is only God that will save humanity during the reign of Donald Trump.

In international relations, there is a popular maxim that “there is no permanent friend, but permanent interest.” Trump displayed ignorance and lack of experience on geopolitics and even less of international relations in his comments during the campaigns. Chinese, Russians, Middle East governments and other international organizations were not spared in Trump’s toxic and intolerant expressions. He vowed to overpower the religious extremists in Syria commonly referred to as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). With these and other bigoted remarks, some analysts are worried that a Trump presidency in the White House increases the risk of an international conflict. I don’t share same sentiments with those who think that a Donald Trump’s presidency will escalate risks in the international environment because of two reasons.

The first is that the world doesn’t belong to Trump. The second reason is that the world though peaceful, is already a risky and dangerous place to live in. This is due to conflicts in most parts of the world occasioned by terrorism, poverty and hunger. If Donald Trump as President of America wants to implement any of his unsophisticated views, he would fail woefully because of strong institutions in the USA.

Global implications

What are the implications of a Trump presidency for the world? Trump’s “America first” rhetoric, if pursued in office in the next 4 years, has global implications on climate change, migration, and international trade amongst others. The president-elect of the USA has stated clearly that he is only interested in what America stands to benefit at all times. No problem. I hope Trump understands how the world works. If he doesn’t, bureaucrats and diplomats in Washington will educate him.

Climate change.  He has not shown any keen interest in climate change. With his advocacy for the use of coal and oil for production, environmentalists have argued that the 2-degree target set by the world in Paris in 2016 may not be realized.This will have a devastating effect on most countries in Africa and other developing nations.

Trade policy. Trump has expressed his fears about free trade. According to predictions, “investors fear that a Trump victory could cause global economic and trade turmoil and years of policy unpredictability.” In fact, some political economists have argued that Donald Trump may pursue a protectionist agenda. Let’s wait for his 100 days in office before we can say categorically what Trump wants to do with global trade. Although some scholars have expressed their dislike for globalization, I want to see how Trump will outwit other nations to jettison globalization- a trade process that has increasingly connected the world together economically, politically and legally.

Africa

Trump cannot recolonize Africa, but I see an Africa that will be regarded as “backwaters” in his foreign policy. On governance in Africa, Trump sees African governments as corrupt. I don’t blame him. It is true that most African leaders have fantastically displayed their skills and competences in corruption for several decades. African leaders “rob their people blind and bring the loot to America to spend,” according to Trump. Trump shouldn’t forget that most funds pinched from Africa are in some banks in New York. He didn’t tell the world how he intends to stop American banks from receiving stolen funds from Africa.

African governments should fight corruption and go back to the drawing table in order to organize their nations for development. It is very doubtful if Donald Trump will be willing to react positively to African requests in international institutions such as the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank.To avoid begging, African elected and appointed leaders must ensure accountability and transparency in governance.

Nigeria

Trump complained that “Nigerians come to America to take over their jobs,” and that if he becomes president, those illegally staying within the country would be deported. This is a wake-up call for the Nigerian government to develop the country with sustainable economic policies. This can be achieved if President Buhari puts “Nigerians first” in all its economic policies.We must sustain those policies which emphasize global peace and development of our country as well as the West African Sub-region.

There is need for Nigeria to sustain its policy of “constructive engagement” in its relationship with the USA. Just like the USA has been a model for Nigeria in terms of democratic development, we need to modify our economic policies so that Nigeria can acquire skills, technologies and other supports from America in a Donald Trump’s government. Nigeria’s strategy in relations with the USA in the next 4 years should however be dictated by our broad perspective of Donald Trump and his ideas as he takes the oath of office on January 20, 2017. Let me state that if Nigeria is abandoned by America, China and other industrialized nations will relate with us and other African nations.

MA Johnson