Trump’s Style of Intervention Contradicts American Ideals
Published in Chunichi Shimbun
(Japan) on 7 January 2017
by (link to original)
(Japan) on 7 January 2017
by (link to original)
Translated from
by Fatuma Muhamed.
Edited by Helaine Schweitzer.
An influential figure threatens businesses, forcing them to change their management policies — this is not the story of a dictator, but “Trump Theater,” starring America's next president. Donald Trump belittles the American principles of liberty, democracy and equality, which is worrying.
It feels as though such a thing is already upon us. Trump took to Twitter over Toyota Motors' plan to build a plant in Mexico, demanding the company cease its plans. “Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax,” Trump tweeted. Similarly, Ford Motors just recently canceled plans for a Mexico plant.
In addition to making an example of General Motors' investments in Mexico, Trump also fiercely attacked a large air conditioning manufacturer about to relocate to Mexico, forcing the company to change its plans.
Due to the North American Free Trade Agreement, businesses have moved their production bases one after another to Mexico, where labor costs are cheaper and the resulting loss of jobs is an issue.
However, even if political intervention could fix this issue, it's undeniable that America's high labor costs would translate into higher prices of goods, which would hurt the consumer. Nor can we deny the possibility that advances in automation are linked to employment.
Trump’s speech and conduct are inconsistent, and he often is mistaken about the facts. Even in his Toyota tweets, he said Toyota’s plant would be built in the wrong city. All he does is create plans without doing any thorough research.
Furthermore, Trump even seems to enjoy others prostrating themselves before him — isn't he treating his power like a toy?
It goes without saying that a statesman bending corporate activities to his will is unhealthy. In the case of the air conditioning manufacturer, the company was promised leniency with regard to its taxes as a bargaining chip. Collusion breeds when the government makes deals with individual corporations, which is harmful to fair competition in the market.
In anticipation of the unpredictable new administration, domestic businesses may suffer under these administrative decisions, and overseas companies may hesitate to invest in America.
While Trump’s intervention appealed to people for a short while, in the end it is proving to be of no benefit to citizens. It is filled with problems not only in the realm of business, but in relation to American society's ideals, like fairness and equality.
During the presidential election, Trump used Twitter as his weapon. Even now, he has broadcast the affairs of his cabinet and his plans to augment America's nuclear force, but making one-sided announcements is not the same as meeting one's accountability. The words of a president carry great weight, and one should be self-aware.
It feels as though such a thing is already upon us. Trump took to Twitter over Toyota Motors' plan to build a plant in Mexico, demanding the company cease its plans. “Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax,” Trump tweeted. Similarly, Ford Motors just recently canceled plans for a Mexico plant.
In addition to making an example of General Motors' investments in Mexico, Trump also fiercely attacked a large air conditioning manufacturer about to relocate to Mexico, forcing the company to change its plans.
Due to the North American Free Trade Agreement, businesses have moved their production bases one after another to Mexico, where labor costs are cheaper and the resulting loss of jobs is an issue.
However, even if political intervention could fix this issue, it's undeniable that America's high labor costs would translate into higher prices of goods, which would hurt the consumer. Nor can we deny the possibility that advances in automation are linked to employment.
Trump’s speech and conduct are inconsistent, and he often is mistaken about the facts. Even in his Toyota tweets, he said Toyota’s plant would be built in the wrong city. All he does is create plans without doing any thorough research.
Furthermore, Trump even seems to enjoy others prostrating themselves before him — isn't he treating his power like a toy?
It goes without saying that a statesman bending corporate activities to his will is unhealthy. In the case of the air conditioning manufacturer, the company was promised leniency with regard to its taxes as a bargaining chip. Collusion breeds when the government makes deals with individual corporations, which is harmful to fair competition in the market.
In anticipation of the unpredictable new administration, domestic businesses may suffer under these administrative decisions, and overseas companies may hesitate to invest in America.
While Trump’s intervention appealed to people for a short while, in the end it is proving to be of no benefit to citizens. It is filled with problems not only in the realm of business, but in relation to American society's ideals, like fairness and equality.
During the presidential election, Trump used Twitter as his weapon. Even now, he has broadcast the affairs of his cabinet and his plans to augment America's nuclear force, but making one-sided announcements is not the same as meeting one's accountability. The words of a president carry great weight, and one should be self-aware.
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