Stepping into the Void of Trump’s Global Retreat

The presidency of Donald Trump has had a rocky start, punctuated by embarrassing personnel shakeups, sloppy messaging, and major policy changes. However, the administration has remained relatively consistent on one central economic theme, first introduced in the campaign and vigorously pursued after President Trump’s inauguration, that of “America First.” From strict new immigration policy proposals – including a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico – to an executive order confirming the administration’s intent not to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Trump’s White House appears to be signaling a general retreat from America’s historic role as the leading global advocate of free trade, economic liberalization, and multilateralism.

Now, other countries are looking to step into this void. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been particularly eager to throw his hat into the ring, denouncing protectionism as akin to “locking oneself in a dark room” at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland this year, calling for renewed action on climate change, and attempting to position China as a champion of free trade and multilateral globalism. Similarly, the remaining members of the TPP recently finished up a meeting in Chile where they spoke positively about continuing the trade pact without the United States.