The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election has turned the world head over heels, as people everywhere eagerly await the outcome. From social feeds to news channels, everyone was fixated on who is to lead the next chapter of American politics. And now, like it or not, Donald Trump has won, marking his return to the White House for a second presidential term.
Trump’s campaign promised to pursue a “Make America Great Again” foreign policy, which is built upon the belief that America has lost its greatness due to exercising extensive foreign influence through immigration, globalisation, and multiculturalism. In turn, this approach is expected to bring upon a surge of protectionism and isolationism.
But it’s not so isolationist when it comes to the affairs of other nations—whether it’s standing with Israel or weighing in on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It’s a reminder that the U.S. election is uniquely powerful, the only one with a ripple effect felt across the globe. While U.S. citizens are able to isolate themselves from the rest of the world, citizens of other countries cannot afford to turn a blind eye to events in the United States. The outcome of an American election or a shift in U.S. policies shapes the realities of life in other nations.
America first, then Israel.
Trump’s 2016 administration relocated the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, an internationalised city under the UN Partition Plan of 1947. It also introduced the Abraham Accords – a series of bilateral agreements aimed at normalising diplomatic and economic relations between Israel and several Arab countries, such as the United Arab Emirates. As Netanyahu described, Trump is the ‘best friend Israel has ever had in White House’.
Trump’s win fuels concerns about increased Israeli aggression and diminishes hope for Palestinian self-determination. Despite Biden’s unequivocal military support for Israel, Trump criticised him for limiting Israel’s actions in Gaza. Trump goes further, labelling Biden as a “Palestinian”—as if that, in itself, is an insult. He then promises to help Israel “finish the job” if re-elected. His statement remains vague, leaving room for interpretation—it could imply finishing the job through the continued forced displacement of Palestinians, or finding a way to end the war.
Ukraine and Russia
Trump made ambitious promises, claiming that he will be able to resolve the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing for 2 years, in as little as 24 hours after his return to office. Could this potentially come at the expense of making concessions on Ukraine and its territory? If so, is this really a sustainable end to the war?
Trump has also been critical of NATO and European defence spending, urging EU nations to contribute more to finance their own defence needs. Potentially, he would withdraw the U.S. from NATO, aligning with his broader “America First” foreign policy, which prioritises U.S. interests over international responsibilities.
China
For years, China has been the U.S.’s biggest rival. Trump is committed to counter China’s growth by imposing tariffs that can go up to 60 percent on all Chinese imports. While his broader protectionist policy involves tariffs of up to 20 percent on most imports, he singles out Chinese goods with unprecedented tariffs. This could potentially ignite a trade war with Beijing and trigger Chinese retaliation targeting U.S. businesses. While some proponents argue that this will incentivize domestic manufacturing, its consequences might be passed on to American households. Regarding other issues such as Taiwan, Trump’s stance remains ambiguous.
But Who Defines Greatness?
With Trump framing greatness through isolationism, one is left to question how long U.S. global hegemony can endure in an era defined by interconnectedness and globalisation. However, for now, U.S. hegemony remains intact, as Trump possesses the power to manoeuvre across regions and influence their power dynamics. With this being one of the most polarised elections in American history, we await what Trump could bring to the table.
Featured image provided by Jeffrey Phelp, AP.
