US presidential election + RCHK's thoughts

By Anagha Singh

Recently, the results of the United States elections have sparked widespread discussion, debate, and analysis about what the future holds—not only for the U.S. as a nation but also for the global community with Donald Trump elected as President representing the Republican Party. To capture the sentiments of individuals from our RCHK community and understand their views on how this major political shift affects global society, we conducted various interviews with RCHK students and staff. Remarkably, 100% of those interviewed believed that Trump’s actions would significantly impact global dynamics. They expressed firm beliefs regarding the U.S. elections and voiced concerns on the matter, despite around 66% of the respondents not being of American descent. As discussions about the implications of the election results unfold, a key focus is on how Trump’s leadership will alter US’s foreign policies, with regards to global alliances and the international trade supply

Trump’s return to the presidency is set to reshape US foreign policy through his ‘America First’ agenda, previously expressed multiple times emphasizing a protectionist approach. Key changes that could be predicted include an unilateral stance towards allies, higher tariffs possibly resulting in global trade conflict as well as lesser support for NATO. Trump has proposed imposing tariffs of upto 20% on imports from all countries and 60% on Chinese goods. This aggressive strategy could reignite trade tensions, especially between two dominating economies such as the USA and China, disrupting the entire international supply chain. Studies predict that Trump’s trade policies could result in the loss of approximately 250,000 jobs in the US, due to reduced trade and a massive increase in costs for businesses. Escalating tariffs may also lead to a loss of 732,000 jobs by 2025. His predetermined, strong stance against few countries is expected to increase, straining relations and affecting global trade, not only for the countries involved but for most economies across the world. Although his ‘America first’ agenda is meant to spark change within the nation, severe consequences could arise, on a global scale.

The majority views of those interviewed from the RCHK community seem to suggest that Trump’s leadership is not only going to be affecting the citizens of the USA, but every rational or irrational decision made can have a huge global impact. One of the individuals interviewed, not of American descent, said ‘The main concern I have is how his leadership is going to impact the climate. Suppose the USA has a president who believes that climate change is a hoax. In that case, there will be no push from the government to invest in renewable energy and continued support for global climate agreements, and this is going to impact countries and people around the world in different ways, with the poorest nations being affected the most’. These concerns about Trump's leadership extend beyond individual perspectives, reflecting a broader anxiety regarding how his policies may reshape U.S. foreign relations.

The USA was ranked the top donor for military aid to Ukraine with 61.1 billion USD worth of monetary weapons and equipment donated according to an article by BBC. Donald Trump’s recent electoral victory could significantly create a major shift in US’s offered military support and assistance to Ukraine. Trump’s history of skepticism towards military aid donations due to his idea of maintaining nationalist action rather than being immensely involved with global political conflict, raises concern that his return as a president may result in reduced assistance, a major pullback for the Ukraine, risking lives of innocent citizens. Additionally, the US’s influential nature has resulted in allies such as South Korea reconsidering their supply policy based on Trump’s stance. Ukrainian officials express their concerns regarding future US support, while referring to Trump’s previous admiration and relations with Putin. President Zelenskyy attempted to maintain diplomatic relations by investing tremendous efforts to secure ongoing aid. Not only will Trump’s political stance regarding the issue result in a huge loss for Ukraine, with the US being the country investing and donating the largest amounts of equipment, but also risks the chance of various other allies reconsidering their supply policies.

The ramifications of Trump's foreign policy are not limited to Europe; they also extend to Asia, particularly in the context of U.S.-China relations affecting the entire continent. His presidency could lead to increased discussions about governance in the region. Changes in U.S. policies might influence economic and trade ties.

While various countries have expressed their concerns with Trump as a leader, many Asian nations have also viewed Trump's recent election with optimism, seeing it as a potential catalyst for renewed engagement and support for local initiatives.

As the results of the US election unfold, many from our very own Hong Kong have been closely monitoring the developments and policies to come alongside with the new president in lead, reflecting a range of opinions similar to those in the USA.

Hong Kong is aiming to protect its business interests and focus on a ‘win-win’ relationship with the US after Donald Trump’s victory. The chief executive of Hong Kong, John Lee in a statement hoped to develop fair and free trade relations and promote mutually beneficial relations by focusing on ‘mutual respect’.

Attendees at a watch party organized by the American Chamber of Commerce have expressed their mixed feelings about the Trump win. On one hand Chris Growney, currently working in the financial services sector believed it would benefit American businesses through tax efficiency and job creation, introducing pathways for economic growth. On the other hand Diana Parusheva-Lowery, working in the same sector warned that the win could potentially lead to more trade and tariff restrictions, affecting investment flows. Various other individuals like Mark Wise highlighted the nature of the US economies, emphasizing the different economic approaches of the candidate. University students have also been engaging in these discussions and noted their preference for Kamala Harris for her stance on female rights.

In a related development, China President Xi Jinping congratulated the president after his win, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between China and the US. He highlighted the benefits both countries could gain through partnership and collaboration, advocating for stable and mutual diplomatic ties. President Jinping expressed his hope for mutual respect and beneficial cooperation. Xi’s approach reflects an awareness that Trump’s presidency may significantly impact U.S.-China relations, prompting him to seek a positive foundation for future interactions.

However Trump once said, 'I am not a globalist. I’m a nationalist.' However this perspective raises important concerns about the implications of his extreme nationalism. While prioritizing national interests may foster unity, and promote his leadership style, the USA remains one of the most influential nations in the world. In an interconnected world, issues like climate change, pandemics, LGBTQ movements, female rights and various more require collaboration beyond borders, and one step the USA takes may simply ripple across the globe, and affect countless lives and international relationships. But who knows? Perhaps his approach could lead to unexpected positive changes that resonate globally. For now, all we can do is watch and see how these shifting dynamics unfold.