Beyond President Donald Trump’s America First Policy: Implications For The US Foreign Engagements -By Eweke Ezuwobomude Emmanuel

PREAMBLE

The truism that elections have consequences abound in the concomitants arising from actions as well as inactions of elected political office holders. It is a herculean task to really ascertain whether an elected political office holder, would be faithful to upholding what he/she professed in the build-up to their elections. This is same for the idea of foreign policy. As a universal vision crafted by a country’s leadership, one cannot really ascertain what really the interest of such entity is in the inter-nation-state system because, what might be professed as the interest of an entity, might be modified by the engagements with others. In fact, foreign policy proclamations are very vague assertions and statements which do not actually say in specific terms, the economic motives of such a country. For example, as noted by the National Museum for American Diplomacy, the guiding principles of the United States of America’s Foreign Policy, remains constant; the promotion of security, democracy, prosperity and development in the USA and around the world. However, this may change between different presidential administrations.

With the above background in mind, it becomes imperative to take a position on whether the actions and activities of President Donald Trump of the United States of America, actually reflects the ‘America First’ mantra that characterized his political campaigns and engagements. This is to enable us appreciate the idea and practice of diplomacy in the inter-nation-state system and implications for African entities.

THE IDEA AND PRACTICE OF AMERICA FIRST

The concept of America first, stems from the foundations of the establishment of the Union. No doubt, the British Empire played a critical role in the shaping of the American republic via the transplant of not just early settlers but also fundamental principles about governance, politics and inter-nation-state relations. The space called the American continent was indeed first considered as an environment to solve the ‘insatiable’ economic appetite of Europe (beginning with Portugal, Spain and later, France as well as Britain). It is important to recall that, the Monarchy carried a ‘purge’ of England that saw political and religious dissidents, criminals, physically challenged, prostitutes, as well as ‘unattractive’ individuals who to the mind of state authorities, do not appeal to them, been transported to America and Australia. These sets of individuals, vowed to stand against the imperial charge of Europe and maintain their independence. 

The attainment of independence is a sine qua non for asserting one’s self in the international system. It is only when one have sovereignty that self-assertion could be possible. Having gained the control over her economic destiny, the USA was on her way not just to take the future in her hands, but also decide what should be obtainable in the engagements of others over the years.

Her isolationist policy in the 19th and early 20th centuries, could be viewed as ‘tactical’ moves to consolidate her strength and provide support only when there was something for her at the end of any outing in Europe as well as other parts of the world. The formation of the League of Nations as well as the United Nations, have American contributions in the shaping of the structure and functions of these organizations. The ultimate thing is that, the interest of the USA would always prevail, overtly or covertly. It is important to state that, only the Nigerian state could qualify as a ‘humanitarian’ oriented nation-state in her engagements with others. Nigeria had gone out on peace-keeping or provision of aid to other countries without any ulterior motives. This is something that should be commended as the USA and other western as well as non-western countries have been accused of instigating crises in various parts of the world, just to benefit from such conflicts. The Saddam Hussein Iraqi and Mamman Gaddafi’s Libyan cases are still fresh for reference purposes.

THE BUILD-UP TO THE 2024 AMERICAN ELECTIONS

The race to the White House in 2024 was beyond rhetoric and stage managed performances. In the foreign scene, America had being seen to be unable to manage the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, the Middle East question and the rising threats from North Korea as well as the Arabian Peninsula. As the Bulwark of Human Rights, Democracy and Global security, she must be alive to her responsibility to the extent that, acts of violence and belligerent attitudes are nipped in the bud. More importantly, the Democrats’ led administration seemed to have abandoned old time allies in Israel, prioritizing an ‘I don’t care’ attitude to the Gaza conflict. Israel’s interest is invariably America’s interest. Thus, in the case of the touted ‘God’s own’ country’s altercation with another entity, Israel’s interest becomes America’s in solidarity of their several contributions to the framing of the America First concept.

The idea of providing aid and loans have been viewed as a ‘curse’ to Africa and other areas of the world. Afrocentric thinkers as well as Marxist scholars have shared very vital insights to the nature and structure of the inter-nation-state economy. This had been configured to ensure Africans and other peoples of the world, are second fiddled. The Department of United States Aid (USAID), and other governmental institutions, provide funding for specific issues. Being a Neo-colonial instrument, Donald Trump’s cutting of aid to specific bodies, thus, aims to free Africans from the shackles of inefficiency and lack of productivity. The allegation of such aid being used in funding terrorist activities, is a very weighty accusation that confirms earlier fears of the toxicity of these ‘neo-colonial’ instruments.

The challenges of managing unemployment, social security as well as other welfare concerns of Americans, was a potent issue before the 2024 Presidential elections. It is touted that, President Trump’s first tenure, was fairly beneficial to the ordinary American citizen than that of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden (JB). It seemed Americans had gotten a ‘messiah’ in President Trump and only his return could actually make America, ‘Great Again’. The flip side of the argument is that, Obama provided the platform for Trump to thrive in 2017 while the latter crippled the economy before the ascension of JB. In a sum, foreign policy like politics, works when the managers give others ‘utopia’ while keeping the real intentions of the state at heart. 

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ACTIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR AMERICA AND AFRICA

The first mandate of the President of the United States of America, like other leaders on the global scene, is to project as well as protect the interests of his country, ‘by any means necessary’. From this view, the President Trump’s activities are in line with supporting the ideas that originate from this world space. It is not the duty of the American government to continue to support others who have independence as well as confidence. 

To be specific, the Trump administration’s withdrawal of American aid as well as membership of organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO), Paris Climate Change Agreement as well as United Nations Rights Council, is a tactical move to strengthen US position in the inter-nation-state system. Those who would benefit from the US benevolence, must be willing to ‘openly’ support the policies of this administration.

This is double jeopardy for those who have being dependent on America’s magnanimity. Africa, where Nigeria is the ‘Giant of Africa’, must rethink her strategies as well as trace her steps to properly position herself as a reliable player on the global scene. A recent study have proposed the rejigging of Nigerian Foreign policy anchor to become ‘Citizen-Centred’ instead of ‘African-Centred’ as the factors that warranted such latter decision, have metamorphosed to different dimensions in the late twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Foreign policies are not rigid in operations even though, it might seem ‘watertight’ in theory. Any country that refuses to constantly assess and evaluate her engagements with other nation-states, with the aim of properly aligning its activities towards achieving stability at home, would continually face enormous challenges. There would be many missed opportunities and chances for optimal collaborations with other players in the system. 

The summary of this discourse moving forward is that, nation-states should not be carried away by oratory and public pronouncements but the actual actions of these entities to really comprehend where their interests lay.

CONCLUSION

The second coming of President Donald Trump have raised mixed reactions from various quarters. Obviously, the current leader of the US has a very strong mass followership in the country. No doubt, his strength is drawn from various sections especially the populist angle as seen in the Capitol Hill incident in January 2021. 

The takeaway from this is that, Nigeria and other African States, must address very critical issues at home. One fundamental component of the problem identified over the years, is the leadership deficit in the continent. African leadership must be disciplined and selfless to avoid stacking in foreign accounts, funds meant for people-oriented engagements, for personal gains.

The japa syndrome has to be tackled. The state must be deliberate about human capital development and export to attract the needed diaspora remittances as well as technical know-how to enable the continent, manage the myriad of challenges as well as chart the course of her development. The efforts of Nigerian in the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) programme, which helped to provide support for various countries, have to be upgraded to benefit the country in multiple ways. Until a critical rethink is done, Nigeria and indeed Africa, would continue to play second fiddle, lamenting at every utterances by various leaders across the Atlantic. 

EWEKE, EZUWOBOMUDE EMMANUEL Ph.D

Department of History and International Studies,

Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria.

ewekeee@fuotuoke.edu.ng