Op-ed denotes an article that is opposite of editorial. Thus, this article does not reflect the official views of The Stork, nor the personal views of The Stork's Editorial Team.
Last week on November 6th, the White House officially changed hands from blue to red as Donald J. Trump became the newly elected president of the United States. After such a divided and polarized campaign, I found it somewhat surprising that Republicans defeated Democrats on nearly all fronts. However, what’s done is done, and for the following years the orange-skinned, Twitter-devoted candidate will preside over one of the most powerful countries in the world. Trump’s new term will be a definite crackdown on U.S. society and the world; while somewhat positive for the world, it is devastating for regular U.S. citizens.
Human Rights
Over two years ago, Roe V. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, a decision that left the bodily rights of over 25 million women at the hands of governmental authorities. While Trump stated he would allow each state to decide on the legality of abortion, it’s obvious that the radical anti-abortion and contraceptive views that the Republican party holds will continue to worsen reproductive rights. It’s hard to comprehend why so many women still voted for a candidate who supports the idea that our bodies, emotional well-being, and futures —shaped by pregnancy— are up for public debate. This alone makes me grateful to come from a country like Colombia where women’s rights progress instead of deteriorating.
Immigration is another big subject. With his famous wall from the previous presidency period, Trump plans to implement radical deportations and bans for immigrants. While the burdens of illegal immigration are considerable, the Republican views and marketing on immigrants (those identifying as Latino specifically), are based on prejudices and unjustified tales. During ABC’s presidential debate, Trump said “In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating – they are eating the pets of the people that live there.”
Later, Tony Hinchcliffe stated how Puerto Rico is a floating island of garbage during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden. The Republican party supporters fail to understand how immigrants hold only 5.2% of the workforce, most of which perform the most heavy duty and least paying jobs. So while the U.S. may be rid of immigrants, I’d like to see its citizens execute the jobs that they consider only an immigrant should have to do.
Economy
However, reproductive rights aren’t the only thing that the new term will affect. Economic changes will alter households and global trade. Trump holds an America First motto where all production, sales, and functions should occur within the U.S. What does this mean? Excessive tariffs on outside products, and tax write-offs for those produced within the U.S. However, with a whopping 20% tariff, the elected president wants to impose, instead of providing a payable and constant product inflow, middle and lower-income families will suffer the consequences of overpriced products.
Even if countries find it more profitable to move production from underdeveloped nations (who cut costs by the billions), the high pricing of U.S. production facilities and labor will raise prices regardless. While I believe his radical changes to be beneficial in a very long-term view, they could last only four years, a timeframe that is not nearly enough time to stabilize prices and the overall economy.
Around the Globe
And yet, I find myself in a dilemma with these elections, because while Trump’s office will wreak havoc within U.S. society, I am happy about what it’ll bring for the rest of the globe.
As a radical, Trump plans to support right-wing presidents like Nayben Bukele and Javier Milei, while cracking down on the poor management of other, left-wing presidents. For instance, Trump is expected to press Colombia on the rise in cocaine production and Petro’s Total Peace strategy, which will undoubtedly lead to a more secure and hopefully better-managed country. More importantly, his expected Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and Trump are both radically against the perpetuating reign of Nicolas Maduro.
While ending his regime is farfetched, this new presidency will be more effective at deteriorating Maduro’s power, than a Kamala’s would have been. I find Trump’s radical points of view to be a much-needed change within the Latin American context and are very happy to see him place order onto a continent whose state was worsened by its newly elected leaders.
While less important to the candidate than other foreign issues, the Russia-Ukraine war will also receive help. Trump plans to mitigate a peace agreement between both nations where territory is disbursed according to front lines. While having to concede even an inch of soil is extremely unfair for Ukraine, a perpetuated war with no end would be even worse. So long as Trump continuously backs Kyiv and pressures for a just agreement, his administration will undoubtedly help countless families and individuals, compared to the mediocre support they would have received from a democratic party.
So was Kamala the better choice? Was Trump? The answer is neither. No candidate would have proven to be good for the U.S. and the globe, none would be truly helpful; however, Trump will be much more effective.
Featured Image: Courtesy of First Post, 2024
