https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/02/opinions/trump-g20-american-exceptionalism-andelman/index.html
At this year's G20 summit, it is clear that America, under the Trump administration, has focused more on its ideas of personal freedom/benefits, rather than displaying leadership that past administrations have done at the summit. During the two days of the summit, most of Trump's meetings were canceled or avoided. However, at the summit, the Trump administration was able to explain their actions such as withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, decision to pull out of NAFTA etc. Furthermore, at the summit, Trump and China's Xi were able to talk it out, extending the implementation of tariffs for 3 months.
Questions:
1. Do you think the Trump administration made the right move to cancel or avoid Trump's meetings with other world leaders?
2. Does America's loss in its role of leadership in this summit foreshadow a potential loss of influence towards other countries?
3. Do you think that America will ever assume a leadership role again? Will America continue to act solely for themselves?
1) I do not think that the Trump administration made the right move to cancel or avoid Trump's meetings with other world leaders. This will increase tensions between other countries especially after the negative reputation worldwide. Anyways, it seems that pulling out of the other conferences or meetings may make him seem careless or isolated. In fact, many countries were made that he pulled out of the Paris agreement because it showed his careless nature.
ReplyDelete2) It could lead to a potential loss of influence of other countries because the United States of America is a very powerful country with a powerful economy. When Trump shows the precedent of pulling out of meetings and loss of leadership, it could lead other powerful countries from doing the same.
3) I think that America will assume a leadership role in the future because the presidency will only last for four years. Therefore, future presidents may lead to future leadership and better communication between other world leaders. However, we would not know because we do not know the future presidents. But, I feel like we would need to communicate with other countries to be successful in the future.
Joshua Ishimoto
ReplyDelete1. On the surface canceling meetings sounds highly unproductive. Why show up to the G20 Summit if you have little direction going in. However, when considering how Trump has done at other summits I would actually say that this reduction in meetings was the prudent course of action. Trump could have either bombed the summit like he did in the G7 and NATO meetings, embarrassing the U.S. and breaking up the international order or he could sat on the sidelines, do something without substance and then claim that it was the biggest deal in American history as he did with his meetings with Kim Jong Un. While neither is desirable, keeping Trump uninvolved was probably the best option that the administration had at the time.
2. The U.S. is losing influence and credibility around the world. Whether or not the G20 would have happened, the actions of this administration to disregard decades of foreign policy doctrine would have meant that America has been disgraced on the world stage. Pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord, pulling out the INF Treaty, pulling out of the Iran Deal, canceling military exercises with South Korea, and having no support for our allies has accumulated in a nation that can no longer claim to be the world superpower. Under Trump we are now the isolationist nation that has the biggest military and in modern times that does not constitute a world leader. Indeed it does seem to be that the overarching foreign policy of this administration was as one administration official said, "We're America, bitch".
3. Million dollar question. At the moment Trump has a very powerful base that is very hard to defeat. Even if Trump is a one term president, that voting bloc will continue to be adversarial to Bush Sr.'s idea of a New World Order. However, I also know that inn Europe and the U.S. their is considerable respect for the international institutions among the younger generation. We want to stop climate change, build peace, and reduce world armaments. This has been furthered by out hatred of Trump so perhaps with time we may learn from our failures today to rebuild the international order that we so desire.
Clara Kennedy
ReplyDelete1. I think that Trump's decision to avoid meetings was a strategic decision. Having established himself as a lackluster contributor at such meetings, canceling and avoiding the meetings might have been a smart decision in order to save face. However, it is highly embarrassing behavior that reflects poorly on the United States. By not participating, Trump implies that the United States does not hold the other countries or issues in high regard, potentially angering foreign allies.
2. I think that the United States' loss of leadership mimics, rather than foreshadows, the loss of international influence. Other countries have lost respect for the United States as a whole and with specific regard towards Trump since his inauguration. Additionally, this was not the first time that the United States has seen a diminished amount of influence on the international stage since Trump's inauguration. Therefore, I believe that this loss of influence highlights what has already happened, rather than a warning of what is to come.
3. I believe that the United States will eventually return to a place of respect and leadership on the international stage. However, I think that it will take many years to regain the standing once held. As time passes, generations and country leaders change, drastically altering the course of international relations. The United States' position is not fixed, but it is unlikely to improve unless the younger generations express their sentiments by participating in politics and advocating for US contributions to resolving international issues.
1. I do believe that Trump made the right decision in terms of what he wanted to accomplish by how people see the United States as a country. It shows that he is trying to possibly stay out of the spotlight during times of tension between world leaders like Mohammad Bin Salman and Vladimir Putin. However, it is unclear whether this could be a beneficial strategy or a decision that could tear rifts in previous relationships that may be important.
ReplyDelete2. I believe that for the media and other countries this lack of presence at the summit does possibly foreshadow a lack of association with these countries in the future. However, I believe that this decision was only for this specific moment. Although everyone will believe this foreshadows a loss of influence, I believe Trump will still continue the influence he has within these countries.
3. I believe it is extremely hard for any country to assume a leadership position among many other countries who may not agree with certain policies and influence that other countries have on them. Given this idea, I believe even if Trump wanted to assume a leadership position, he will likely be blocked by other countries, thus mitigating the power and influence of the United States upon the these countries. However, I do not believe Trump is the type of president to attempt to make this decision, but that does not rule out a possible attempt by a future president.
1. Do you think the Trump administration made the right move to cancel or avoid Trump's meetings with other world leaders?
ReplyDeleteI do not think it was the right move. I do not think it was significantly harmful for Trump or the U.S., but Trump is already fairly isolated in international politics and he missed this opportunity to make an attempt to remedy that.
2. Does America's loss in its role of leadership in this summit foreshadow a potential loss of influence towards other countries?
Yes, I believe it does. However, I think Trump has already significantly lost a lot of influence with other countries, specifically, our western allies. I think Macron's call for an EU army to counter threats such as, "China, Russia and even the United States of America." This is a huge shift in perspective that existed prior to G20.
3. Do you think that America will ever assume a leadership role again? Will America continue to act solely for themselves?
I am fairly certain the U.S will assume this leadership position in the future. The U.S' strength alone will ensure that. While I personally believe that Trump displays poor leadership and character towards other nations, i believe his reputation exceeds his actions and will allow for almost any future president to easily establish good relations with countries where the U.S. has fallen out of favor.
1) I do not believe that the Trump admin made the right decision. I believe that they should continue to talk to other countries in order to ease tensions. If we refuse to talk to others the result will be an isolationist country. If we are isolationist other countries will not treat us with respect because it will be us against the world.
ReplyDelete2) I do believe that we are loosing control on our leadership of the world because of our own choices. It was our decision to not show up to the meetings and withdraw from global agreements. Without a strong presence how can we maintain leadership. If we are not there too lead we have given up our position as a leader of the world.
3) I believe that we can assume a leadership role again if we stop behaving as if we are the only important country in the world. If we re open our arms to the world they will undoubtedly allow us to guide the way because we are one of the most successful countries in the world with a cleanish record.
1. I do not believe the Trump administration made the right move to avoid Trump’s meetings with other world leaders because it is taking a step away from America being the “leader” of the world. This will cause tensions with other countries, which may cause future international problems in the future.
ReplyDelete2. I think America’s loss in its leadership role during this summit will cause a loss in future influence of other countries. Trump’s actions created a loss of credibility and leadership, which will make America look less trustworthy and reliable in the future.
3. I believe America will be able to assume a leadership role in the future, when there is a president who actively takes charge in international meetings. However, this will probably not happen immediately because of the current and future declining public image of America from Trump’s actions. Communication and developing trust with other countries will be a key factor in America becoming an influential world leader again, preventing America from becoming isolationist.
1. I think that the Trump administration did not make the right move to avoid these meetings as it portrays a weak image. If we want to continue to be an influential country we cannot shy away from international relations.
ReplyDelete2. It is a step in the direction of losing influence towards other countries, but I would not say it goes as far as to foreshadow such a thing. However, it is a dangerous path to be on if our goal is to remain influential.
3. Our reputation is currently hurting and our image as leaders is being undermined, but given America's economic influence it will be very easy to restore a leadership role, and I believe future administrations likely will.
1. Do you think the Trump administration made the right move to cancel or avoid Trump's meetings with other world leaders?
ReplyDeleteThe whole point of the G20 is to meet with other world leaders, so no.
2. Does America's loss in its role of leadership in this summit foreshadow a potential loss of influence towards other countries?
The loss of America's influence on the world stage has been happening overtime. I would argue it started under George W., rebounded a bit during Obama, and now has been decimated by Trump.
3. Do you think that America will ever assume a leadership role again? Will America continue to act solely for themselves?
I would argue that America is still the world's leader, but barely and that will most likely change within our lifetime.
1. Do you think the Trump administration made the right move to cancel or avoid Trump's meetings with other world leaders?
ReplyDeleteI do not think that canceling and avoiding meeting with other world leaders was a good move to make. They were willing to meet with him to solve real-world issues and for him to avoid and cancel them is disrespectful to them and their time. The G20 is a place for all of the world's leaders to come together to make the world a better place. If Trump purposely avoids that meeting, he's telling them he's got bigger fish to fry than to make the world a better place.
2. Does America's loss in its role of leadership in this summit foreshadow a potential loss of influence towards other countries?
Yes, America's loss in its role of leadership foreshadows a loss of influence on other countries. America is seen as one of the world's leaders, if the leader of our nation misses the biggest summit of the world's leaders, it's telling them that we don't care about world issues and don't want to solve problems. It makes us look like we are led by a 10 year old (which we are).
3. Do you think that America will ever assume a leadership role again? Will America continue to act solely for themselves? I think when we elect a new president who is responsible and makes the right decisions, yes, then we can slowly regain our position as a leader but as of now, no. America will need to continue to act solely for themselves and will need the help of other foreign countries if they want to be seen as a leader again.
1. No, Trump should not have avoided these meetings. It really looks bad for him.
ReplyDelete2. This experience could diminish other countries' opinions of the US a little bit. Overall, though, it isn't likely to be a huge deal.
3. I think that, if a new president is elected, they will act differently from Trump. Trump does not represent all Americans for all time, so hopefully our next president will act differently.