Trump

Definition

Donald Trump is a businessman and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. His presidency was characterized by a focus on an 'America First' foreign policy, which prioritized U.S. interests in international relations and economic dealings, often leading to contentious trade wars with other countries.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Trump's 'America First' approach led to the withdrawal from multiple international agreements, including the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal.
2. His administration imposed tariffs on a variety of goods from countries like China, leading to retaliatory tariffs and heightened tensions in global trade relations.
3. Trump argued that trade wars were necessary to bring jobs back to America and reduce the trade deficit, although critics contended they harmed consumers and increased costs.
4. His foreign policy was marked by direct engagement with North Korea, including historic summits with Kim Jong-un, which aimed to address nuclear proliferation concerns.
5. The 'America First' policy shifted U.S. relations with traditional allies, as Trump often criticized NATO members for not meeting defense spending obligations.

Review Questions

• How did Trump's 'America First' policy influence U.S. relations with traditional allies?
  • Trump's 'America First' policy significantly strained relationships with traditional allies as he frequently criticized them for not contributing enough to defense spending within NATO and challenged existing international agreements. This approach led to concerns among allies about America's reliability as a partner in global security and diplomacy. Many countries felt pressured to reassess their own defense budgets and strategies in response to Trump's demands, altering the dynamics of international cooperation.
• Evaluate the impacts of the trade wars initiated during Trump's presidency on both the U.S. economy and its trading partners.
  • The trade wars initiated during Trump's presidency had mixed impacts on the U.S. economy and its trading partners. While some sectors, particularly steel and aluminum, benefited from protective tariffs, many manufacturers faced higher costs due to increased prices on imported materials. Additionally, retaliatory tariffs imposed by countries like China negatively impacted American farmers and exporters. Overall, these trade conflicts contributed to economic uncertainty and disrupted established supply chains.
• Synthesize how Trump's foreign policy approach, particularly through 'America First', reshaped the U.S.'s role in global governance during his presidency.
  • Trump's foreign policy approach fundamentally reshaped the U.S.'s role in global governance by prioritizing national interests over multilateral cooperation. His administration's withdrawal from key international agreements and reliance on unilateral actions challenged the established norms of diplomacy and collective problem-solving. This shift created a vacuum in global leadership that allowed other nations, such as China and Russia, to expand their influence while raising questions about the future of multilateral institutions like the UN and NATO.

Related terms

America First:

A political slogan associated with Donald Trump that emphasizes prioritizing American interests in foreign policy and economic matters, often at the expense of international agreements.

Trade War: A conflict between countries characterized by the imposition of tariffs or other trade barriers, often initiated by one country to protect its own economy or to respond to unfair trade practices.

Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported goods, intended to protect domestic industries by making foreign products more expensive.