The Trump Problem
Published in El Heraldo de México
(Mexico) on 21 April 2025
by José Carreño Figueras (link to original)
For internal political reasons, Trump has abused and threatened his neighbors, Canada and Mexico
Donald Trump certainly seems to be right about one thing: The era of the United States as the world's greatest economic power and consumer powerhouse has entered a phase of decline, perhaps even in its final stages.
This is partly due to historical and systemic reasons, and partly due to a new era in which there is no confidence in globalism and political doctrines as we’ve known them. It is certainly due to domestic problems in the U.S. And it is also due, in large part, to the way in which President Trump and his administration decided to accelerate this decline without being prepared for it.
In fact, beyond the first steps of imposing tariffs on everyone and then creating exceptions, Trump's policies at times seem contradictory. Regardless, pressure and threats are not exactly the best way to build trust; although, given its economic and military power, the U.S. can still force weaker or more dependent countries to dance to its tune.
But as old Jesús Reyes Heroles used to say, “in poetry, as in politics, form is substance.” And Trump does not respect form.
Trump's vacillations and bombastic personal style do not translate into trust or sympathy, but rather into a competitive advantage for China in terms of image and international relations.
“For most of the past decade, Chinese officials have been trying to convince the world that China — with its state-controlled, notoriously protected economy — is the world’s true defender of free trade and globalization. Now, as Trump levies tariffs against some 90 countries and U.S. relations with allies and trading partners grow tense, China has a rare opportunity,” The Washington Post reported.
And the worst or best thing, depending on your point of view, is that China does not have to exaggerate or distort anything. It is all there, in the often insulting and even more frequently exaggerated or false and even threatening statements Trump makes about other countries, including allies.
True. Much of this can be found in the environment in which Trump developed his life and experiences, in the world of New York real estate. But the hyperbole and image-building and intimidation that work in Manhattan have limited impact, but not so much in a game like international politics, which is far-reaching.
But if that is an explanation, its effects are also beginning to be felt and could have a serious impact on the daily lives of Americans and, moreover, on their relations with the rest of the world.
For internal political reasons, Trump has abused and threatened his neighbors, Canada and Mexico. The tragic irony is that to remain a world power, the United States must rely on those two countries to integrate a geopolitical region.
Donald Trump certainly seems to be right about one thing: The era of the United States as the world's greatest economic power and consumer powerhouse has entered a phase of decline, perhaps even in its final stages.
This is partly due to historical and systemic reasons, and partly due to a new era in which there is no confidence in globalism and political doctrines as we’ve known them. It is certainly due to domestic problems in the U.S. And it is also due, in large part, to the way in which President Trump and his administration decided to accelerate this decline without being prepared for it.
In fact, beyond the first steps of imposing tariffs on everyone and then creating exceptions, Trump's policies at times seem contradictory. Regardless, pressure and threats are not exactly the best way to build trust; although, given its economic and military power, the U.S. can still force weaker or more dependent countries to dance to its tune.
But as old Jesús Reyes Heroles used to say, “in poetry, as in politics, form is substance.” And Trump does not respect form.
Trump's vacillations and bombastic personal style do not translate into trust or sympathy, but rather into a competitive advantage for China in terms of image and international relations.
“For most of the past decade, Chinese officials have been trying to convince the world that China — with its state-controlled, notoriously protected economy — is the world’s true defender of free trade and globalization. Now, as Trump levies tariffs against some 90 countries and U.S. relations with allies and trading partners grow tense, China has a rare opportunity,” The Washington Post reported.
And the worst or best thing, depending on your point of view, is that China does not have to exaggerate or distort anything. It is all there, in the often insulting and even more frequently exaggerated or false and even threatening statements Trump makes about other countries, including allies.
True. Much of this can be found in the environment in which Trump developed his life and experiences, in the world of New York real estate. But the hyperbole and image-building and intimidation that work in Manhattan have limited impact, but not so much in a game like international politics, which is far-reaching.
But if that is an explanation, its effects are also beginning to be felt and could have a serious impact on the daily lives of Americans and, moreover, on their relations with the rest of the world.
For internal political reasons, Trump has abused and threatened his neighbors, Canada and Mexico. The tragic irony is that to remain a world power, the United States must rely on those two countries to integrate a geopolitical region.
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