President Donald Trump, on the fourth day of his presidency, embarked on a mission to reshape the global order. He made it abundantly clear that every U.S. foreign policy decision would be evaluated based on how it benefits Americans. Trump presented his unvarnished vision for America’s new role in the world during his address at the Davos forum, pushing for significant changes in international relations.
Among his bold proposals was a call for NATO members to more than double their defense spending to 5% of GDP. This move aligns with Trump's "America First" philosophy, which critics often describe as a return to the isolationism seen between the two world wars. Trump also threatened tariffs on European exports, including peaches, as retaliation against Canada's retaliatory tariffs, citing long-standing unfair treatment of the United States.
Trump's concerns extend to the taxes and regulations imposed on U.S. tech giants like Google, Apple, and Meta in Europe. He views these firms as instruments of American power, emphasizing their significance in global influence.
"These are American companies, whether you like them or not. They’re American companies and they shouldn’t be doing that." – Trump
Throughout his campaign, transition, and first days in office, Trump consistently advocated for a foreign policy that prioritizes U.S. interests. His transactional nature was evident in his recent statements about NATO, where he expressed dissatisfaction with how other nations benefit at America's expense.
"We are protecting them, they are not protecting us." – Trump
Trump's approach marks a departure from the traditional principle of treating all nations as sovereign equals, as outlined in the United Nations charter. Instead, he insists on America putting its interests first.
"He promised that he would disrupt the existing way of doing things, both within the United States and internationally," – David Miliband
Trump has repeatedly referenced William McKinley, an imperialist Republican president, as one of his favorites. He recently signed an executive order to restore Denali's original name in Alaska to Mount McKinley.
"President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent," – Trump
In his speeches, Trump has touched upon various themes, including self-sufficiency and economic independence. He emphasized America's resources and capabilities to produce domestically without relying heavily on imports.
"We don’t need them to make our cars. … We don’t need their lumber because we have our own forests, etc., etc. We don’t need their oil and gas. We have more than anybody." – Trump
Trump's policies aim to direct significant financial resources into the U.S. Treasury, strengthening the economy through tariffs and other measures.
"if you don’t make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then, very simply, you will have to pay a tariff." – Trump
