President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy has been a focal point for his administration, with the main objective of putting U.S. interests first in multiple areas including trade, security, and job creation. By and large, this approach has been credited for reversing some of the career-long trends in trade, rejuvenating American manufacturing, and substantially increasing jobs within the country. However, there are concerns and critique surrounding this policy as some believe that this approach could have adverse effects on american’s international relations and global economic stability.
The “America First” policy has been initiated as Trump looked to return blue-collar jobs that were moved overseas in the past decades. This has led to numerous trade disputes and a revival of mobilization against globalism as economies are more inward-focused and jobs are retained within borders. As the policy continues to advance, concerns have been raised over the possible downside it may bring to America’s global relationship and its overall standing on the international stage.
Trade wars are becoming more commonplace with the rise of the policy. The most noteworthy trade dispute being with China, the largest pot of “unsettled” world trade with history-high tariffs on goods. These disagreements present risks to global economic growth due especially to the possible significant reduction in trade between the two economic giants. With US-China relations being a cornerstone for many countries’ economic stability and growth, this tension could have broader effects on global partners.
Other nations have taken notice and may be likely to mirror some of these same nationalistic approaches. Predictions suggest that we could start witnessing a growing trend of nationalistic protectionist policies which could hurt global trade, investments, and economic stability. This could lead to fewer opportunities for multinational companies, increased volatility in the markets, and greater isolationist approaches in various countries. Additionally, partner countries could retaliate, which could negatively affect American industries not only by losing market access but also by suffering supply chain disruptions.
Although the “America First” policy has its well-intentioned aims of protecting American jobs and interests, these nationalistic tendencies may inadvertently cause global turmoil by affecting overall economic stability and international relations. In the long term, America would not only lose its crucial partnerships in favor of unilateralism, but it would also impede the collaborative efforts necessary to face global challenges like climate change, disease pandemics, and cybersecurity threats. As the policy progresses, its likely downside should be under constant scrutiny to balance the need for national interests along with the important roles that the US plays in the ever-evolving international landscape.
