U.S. foreign policy fails

U.S. foreign policy fails

Two cases: Canada, Israel

 

Gordon L. Weil

Unless you sit in the White House, it’s impossible to ignore the loss of American influence in the world under the presidency of Donald Trump.

His core foreign policy precept is America First.  This is not simple isolationism.   More importantly, it means that the U.S. should be recognized as the world’s military and economic power and that other nations should follow its lead. 

The dominant framework for this thinking is economic.  The U.S. trade deficit shows it has suffered exploitation and must right the balance, partly using protective tariffs to aid American production.   Superior U.S. military force will drive others to negotiate on Trump’s terms or they will be damaged to the point of surrender.  Add to that, Trump’s overarching personal ambition.

Before Trump, American power had brought the U.S. respect and trust, if not affection.  His erratic, preemptive and unrealistic policies have undermined those assets. His reelection sent a signal to others that restoration of a more stable and reliable American ally was not to be counted on, now or ever. 

The effect of the misuse of American power in U.S. relations with other countries can be seen in the failure of U.S. ties with two of its closest and most dependent allies – Canada and Israel.

Trump’s view of Canada was determined by what he believed was the injustice of an unfavorable trade balance and his accurate perception that Canada existed in a weakened political condition, especially its military.  Though it was a big step to his ultimate goal, he thought that a tough trade policy would make Canada ripe for collapse and takeover as the 51st state.

The Liberal government was set for a massive electoral defeat at the hands of the Conservatives, a party favorable to American interests. In trade and economic terms, Canada was functionally almost the equivalent of being a state. 

But Trump blew it.  His call for the 51st state and the imposition of unjustified tariffs did not destroy Canada; it unified the sometimes fractious nation.  Conservatives did not become U.S. allies; many became patriotic Canadians.  The Liberals found a candidate for prime minister who had the background and skill to stand up to Trump, and they won.

Prime Minister Mark Carney imposed tariffs on the U.S., the only country beyond China to retaliate directly.  He broke off trade talks with the U.S. when faced with take-it-or-leave-it demands and insults to his nation.  Most importantly, he began aggressively diversifying Canada’s economic and military relations, permanently putting space between the two countries.

Instead of cultivating a relationship that could be made more favorable to the U.S., Trump bullied its closest ally into rejecting it.  Canada’s adjustment will be painful.  America’s loss will be costly.  Both will happen.

If American problems with Canada were the results of the sins of omission, its problems with Israel result from the sins of commission.

The U.S. has a tradition of strong, bipartisan support for Israel, dating from its founding in 1947.  As in other countries, Americans felt that support for the new Jewish state, an almost unique example of democracy in the Middle East, would somewhat compensate for help withheld during the Holocaust, when millions of European Jews were killed.

Support for Israel’s existence has been linked to support for its government, which expected unquestioning backing.  Sensing that such support would come more rapidly from the Republicans than from the Democrats, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought close ties to the GOP, which in turn gained the votes of many Jews and evangelical Christians.

Trump provided vetoes for Israel at the UN and military aid for its campaigns against neighboring Arabs and those in occupied areas, some of whom were terrorists.  Sensing he has a committed ally, Netanyahu led Trump into replacing peace efforts with Iran by an effort to take control of it.  The U.S. also ignored Israel’s killing of innocent Palestinians.

With Trump’s support, Netanyahu overreached.  Iran did not fall, and Israel was ostracized for its attacks on Palestinians.  A gap began to grow between congressional views on Middle East policy and Israel’s needs and desires.  The Iran war and reduced support for Israel affected the U.S. midterm results.  Trump has announced a major cutback in historic military aid to Israel.

Setbacks in relations with Canada and Israel resulted from Trump ignoring history and good advice and acting in the belief in his superiority.  They were part of his pattern.

He tried to swipe Greenland from its inhabitants and Denmark.  He condemned Europe for not aiding the U.S. in its Iran war, though he did not consult with it and tried to override its concerns about the Ukraine.  His style and language show little respect for others.

Other counties might view the midterms with relief, but must worry about what comes next.