There is a second coming but this one is not of the highly anticipated Messiah. It is the second coming of the Orange Man, Donald J. Trump, arguably the most controversial political figure in recent times. Hopefuls and critics alike waited with bated breath for this second coming and as you would expect, it has been highly eventful even at this very early stage. You can trust Orange Man to shake things up with his policies.
During his first term, he made several transformative moves. Who can forget the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) he signed in 2017? It largely benefited high-income individuals and increased income inequality. Trump also implemented a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against illegal immigration at the US-Mexico borders. This policy was heavily criticised because it led to the separation of many families. These policies, among others, have cemented Trump’s reputation as a disruptor in the world of politics. Love or hate him, Orange Man certainly knows how to make his presence felt. Orange Man is back and as he had been signalling since his campaign, he took along with him his tsunami-ish reforms. Here is a sceptic’s objective view of the earliest days of the Trump administration.
Migration
One of the main issues that arose in the build-up to the elections was the unchecked influx of illegal migrants into the country, a situation that the previous administration showed little to no interest in stopping. It was clear that Trump was not going to permit same, having fought it in his first term. Trump seems to be working overtime to correct this anomaly; Operation Aurora and the mass deportation of Columbian illegal immigrants are a testament to this. Closely related to this is the issue of border security which implicates neighbouring countries like Mexico and Canada, and even far away countries like China as part of his “America First” approach. The now-revised trade tariffs have led to retaliatory measures from other countries, affecting US exports and, ultimately, American consumers.
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Arguably the most globally relevant international conflict in the build-up to the elections and beyond, Trump’s approach to this complex age-long conflict was highly anticipated by the fans, the critics and the neutrals. The anticipation stems from the fact that America is Israel’s greatest ally across the globe. However, the optimists have been nothing short of disappointed after videos emerged of Trump saying that Gazans would be relocated out of Palestine and the occupied territories would come under American rule. This simple solution is pregnant with even more conflict, considering how much semblance it bears to the origin of this conflict itself.
A Different Hegemon
With funding cuts to the World Health Organisation (WHO), United States’ Agency for International Development (USAID) and other parastatals, it becomes obvious that Trump is uninterested in the soft power methodology that held sway under the Democrats. This particularly directly impacts the fate of global health worldwide. It means that less support will be offered to research globally, and developing countries, including Nigeria, will face a lot of trouble in funding previously subsidised healthcare. The sort of influence exerted through funding and covert operations is being ditched by the orange man. However, conflating this with a disinterest in global power would be wrong. The Trump approach seems to include more sticks and less carrot, which might favour other global powers like China and Russia. While this approach is likely to reduce the number of allies and alliances, it would allow America more financial firepower and further increase its intrinsic strength as a world power.
As the Orange Man embarks on his second term, it’s difficult to predict what his tenure will be remembered for. One thing is certain, though – the next four years will be anything but dull. With numerous revolutionary developments on the horizon, the world will be watching as global conversations unfold. However, the early signs are ominous, particularly for developing countries. All we can do is wait and hope for the best.
Yusuf Akinyooye
