The past few days have at one level been exhilarating. For Western leaders to celebrate the success of the greatest seaborne invasion in history is memorable in it self. Moreover, while only 4% of the soldiers who participated in D Day are alive, I am overjoyed that we recognized their valor. The sentiments expressed which represented their bravery along with their fallen comrades makes us all proud.
On the other hand, I fear that President Trump’s statements and policies undermine much of the positive achievements that America has fostered. Specifically, starting with Franklin Roosevelt the United States laid the framework to mitigate the antagonisms that led the centuries of strife not only in Europe but globally.
I would like to mention just a few of the international organizations and commitments that America spearheaded. First of all, in 1944 we supported the establishment of the Bretton Woods Institutions, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Their aims were to help rebuild the shattered postwar economy and promote international economic cooperation. We rejected a focus on purely national prosperity and recognized the need for community action involving many countries. In 1945 we promoted the establishment of the United Nations. Subsequently, we established the Marshall Plan that gave large amounts of aid to European countries to help them rebuild after the devastation of World War II.
Although our record was not perfect, we encouraged Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, etc. to give up their colonial empires and promote self-rule. To our credit, instead of subjecting Germany and Japan to the treatment that they inflicted on their conquered lands, our rule was benign. Symbolically, “we turned the other cheek.” In response to our just rule, both Germany and Japan became our democratic allies sharing our vision.
In brief, until the current occupant of the White House, we did not harbor animosity for the allegedly shortcomings of the developed world. We recognized that high tariffs such as Smoot Hawley hurt everyone and contributed to the Great Depression.
President Trump has jettisoned the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s strategic pivot to Asia. It was set to become the world’s largest free trade deal, covering 40 percent of the global economy. TPP was supposed to counter China’s economic dominance in the region. Now we have opened up the door for China to exert its regional clout. Is China’s regional hegemony in our best interest?
Trump’s recent visit to Great Britain broke historic understandings of appropriate diplomatic behavior. Specifically, Trump repeatedly insulted the mayor of London. Secondly, he advocated that Boris Johnson replace Theresa May. Currently, we are investigating Russian interference in our 2016 election, and yet Trump openly advocated not only for continued Conservative Rule, but a particular individual. Thirdly, Trump encouraged Great Britain to leave the European Union, even without a deal. Lastly, he promised that America would do a “super trade” deal with Great Britain after they leave the European Union. I have two problems with Trump’s promise. First of all, are we going to be “tight fisted with Mexico, Canada, Europe, etc.” and give Great Britain a sweetheart deal? Secondly, we are undermining the European Union. In my judgment, the existence of the European Union is our ace in the hole to stop wars in Europe. Given the carnage of World War I and World War II, whatever the shortcomings of the European Union it is far better than warfare! How can Trump not recognize the wisdom of his predecessors who applauded European cooperation?
In conclusion, we need to remember that America is enjoying 10 years of economic growth and historic low unemployment. There is no proof what so ever that on a macro basis, we are being hurt by our global trade deficits. Stated differently, we are getting cheap goods and services and they are getting our paper. Moreover, the cost of tariffs could exceed the per capita benefits from the Trump Tax cuts. Trump’s policies have now put us in a no-win situation. We are amassing unsustainable $ trillion-dollar deficits and the American public will be getting zero economic benefits if we continue with our tariff policy.
After Taps is blown for our fallen veterans, maybe we should insist that we continue to play this melody until Trump leaves office.
