Trump’s ‘Common Sense’

Without attempting to negotiate first, the American president triggers an economic war.

President Donald Trump declared a “revolution of common sense” in his inaugural address and promised a “golden age” for the United States. One can already guess from his actions and threats in the first two weeks what Trump’s second presidency could mean for the United States and for the world. The most consequential and simultaneously irrational decision by far, which launched a global trade war, went into effect on Tuesday: Without prior negotiations, tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico will be raised by 25% and those from China by 10%. Around a third of imports are affected. These measures mean an economic war against the three most important trade partners who, in turn, immediately announced their own counter actions. Canada and Mexico were “punished” due to illegal immigration and drug smuggling. The fact that authoritarian China, which actually has more suspect trade practices, is only being hit with 10% tariffs is just as incomprehensible as the whole procedure.

Trade War and Suspensions

The expected hits against the European Union could also confirm the impression of greater severity toward friendly states than toward the tyrants in Moscow or Beijing whom Trump secretly admires. Trump will not even rule out the use of violence in his demands to Denmark to give Greenland over to the United States and to Panama to return the Panama Canal. As a consequence of this trade war, prices for many foods and also for gasoline will rise in the American market.

Trump’s order to cease almost all support services through the United States Agency for International Development will contribute to mass poverty worldwide. The suspension of all federal contributions to climate action has already caused chaotic impacts in affected states and cities. Trump’s revenge campaign is also running full-speed ahead against attorneys and civil servants who led investigations against him and his staff. As part of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, millions of federal workers are being called on to resign early with the promise of financial benefits.

Nonstop

The international role of the South African-born and by far most powerful multi-billionaire is becoming an ever greater, if so far suppressed problem for American foreign policy, as he insults heads of state from Germany to the United Kingdom and praises extreme right-wing parties nonstop. With his unrestrained attacks in all directions, Musk is slowly casting a shadow over even the biggest egomaniacs in the White House.

However, the particular danger lies in the fact that the most important instruments of American democracy for keeping the executive in check, the Supreme Court and Congress, are not currently restricting the errant head of state in his absolute power, but rather supporting him almost unconditionally in his senseless and dangerous actions.