Trumpian Globalism

Donald Trump gave his inaugural U.N. General Assembly speech this Tuesday, and like the campaign he came out swinging. In the speech, President Trump took aim at both North Korea and Iran. Between the threats of destroying North Korea, ripping up the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and coining a new nickname for North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, President Trump introduced the General Assembly to his version of globalism. Trump began his speech, after his obligatory boasting of his own achievements, by discussing the promise and perils that humanity faces. Trump looked to the past in this speech, bringing up the reasons for the creation of the U.N. and highlighting the success of the Marshall plan in rebuilding Europe after the Second World War. Instead of the standard view that the Marshall plan helped to further integrate the world, Trump took the position that the plan created nations that were "strong, independent, and free." President Trump also stated that he was here in the best interest of his nation and he expected that other leaders should be there in the best interest of theirs. This siren call to defend sovereignty may seem like something out of the Russian or Chinese foreign policy playbook; however, like everything with Donald Trump, there are always conditions attached. While Trump stated the the protection of sovereignty and independence of each nation was one the core purposes of the U.N., it is clear that he expected all nations to have a rudimentary respect of human rights and that they all have an obligation to their people. Before launching into his attacks on Iran and North Korea, Trump stated that all nations had an obligation to "confront the wicked few." Trump's view on how the international order appears to be a hybrid of the traditional view of American foreign policymakers and that of China or Russia. Heralding American values of government of, by, and for the people and then stating that the United States will not directly promote these views in other nations. It appears that Trump is attempting to directly translate his domestic platform of "America First" to the world. It remains to be seen how these two seemingly contradictory positions will mesh. Trump clearly expects the world to act with the United States against Iran and North Korea and in return he promises not to intervene in their internal affairs. The long-term impact of this new foreign policy will affect the security of both the nation and the world as a whole.