The recent decisions made by the Trump administration are raising alarms about global stability.
In a surprising declaration, the President of the United States suggested that the US should take control of Gaza and relocate Palestinians to other nations. This statement raises significant concerns about the understanding of the Palestine-Israel conflict by a leader who claims to have a detailed background in the matter.
Dr. Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist and niece of the former president, has characterized her uncle as a danger to both the country and the world, reflecting a growing consensus on his fitness for leadership. She argues that his mental instability, noted in her bestselling book, makes him unfit for office and a threat to democratic values due to his tendencies toward dishonesty and authoritarianism.
Further controversies have emerged from Trump’s outlandish proposals, including his suggestion to purchase Greenland, which was promptly dismissed by the Danish Prime Minister as an absurdity. His intentions regarding the Panama Canal have also come under scrutiny; despite international treaties ensuring its accessibility to all nations, Trump has expressed desires to take control of it, prompting a rebuttal from Panama’s leadership.
Adding to the tumult, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian imports, disrupting a long-standing alliance. Although he temporarily withdrew this threat after discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the damage to diplomatic relations is evident.
Moreover, his administration’s plans to implement 10% tariffs on Chinese exports signal a looming trade war that could have extensive repercussions not only for the US and China but for the global economy at large.
Since his return to the White House, Trump’s decisions appear poised to diminish the US’s international influence significantly. This is especially evident in his choice to suspend all US-funded international aid programs and dismantle USAID. Despite accounting for less than 1% of the national budget, USAID has historically had a profound impact on developing nations.
The aspiration of many developing nations, including those like Tanzania, is to achieve self-reliance, reminiscent of Europe’s recovery through the Marshall Plan. USAID had initiated a Journey for Self-Reliance program, emphasizing the need for self-sufficient development.
Personal experience with USAID reflects its commitment to enhancing professional standards through their ethical framework and capacity-building initiatives, which have fostered many successful entrepreneurs across Africa. Numerous individuals in Tanzania have benefitted from USAID resources, significantly impacting community growth and resilience.
If the US government decides to dissolve USAID, it should involve the American populace through the democratic process rather than execute a decision through executive order. The closure of this agency could jeopardize thousands of American jobs and the extensive positive economic impact facilitated through its funded projects globally.
The role of USAID in combating issues such as HIV/AIDS in Tanzania is undeniable, and the move to shut down such an influential agency through a presidential decree is a disheartening development for the country that sees itself as the “leader of the free world.”
