USA: Now we know what Trump means to « first America »

After four months of daily reversals, the past week was a clarification opportunity for a decent understanding of what Donald Trump’s plans for the world really are.

With three events – the deal with Beijing for dramatic reduction duties which he himself imposed on imports from China just a month ago- a series of business agreements with Arab states during his first full-fledged Middle East trip- and an important speech on Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy that was less attention to US policy of the last 50 years.

What does « America first » mean to Trump

In words and actions, the president has shown clearer than in the past what « first America » ​​means: an approach that greatly sets aside the traditional values, ideals, alliances and collaborations that the US presidents have attempted and often failed.

The above values ​​as they point out In their analysis the Times, They give their place to the naked and narrowly demarcated pursuit of US economic, commercial and national targets – focusing on boosting American prosperity at almost all costs – along with any personal benefits that can be reached for Trump and his family members along the way.

For the duties

Last weekend’s temporary agreement on duties with China has shown that, even on a matter that Trump has made a personal bet, are ultimately the promises and threats to the immediate impact on the US economy that will guide his policy.

The agreement – a reduction for 90 days of 145%exterminating duties imposed on Imports from China to 30%, with China reducing its duties from US products to 10% – was a retreat led by the inevitable likelihood of serious damage to US consumers and businesses.

But when it was time, even his favorite duties had to be reduced in the face of economic reality and given the possibility of a safer relationship between the two largest economies in the world.

The trip to the middle east

For Trump, his first big trip abroad this week was not an opportunity to conclude big alliances, but again to make money – for the US and for himself.

In Saudi Arabia, he received a successor Mohammed bin Salman weapons and investment commitments that the Saudi leader said they could be worth up to $ 1 trillion. In Qatar, he signed an agreement with Boeing on 160 new aircraft along with other commercial plans- and in the United Arab Emirates advertised major business opportunities for US technology companies, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.

Its reception at any place visited in the Middle East was equally spectacular

He also finalized his controversial plan to receive a gift of $ 450 million in the form of an aircraft from Qatar to replace the Air Force One – a plane he can hold for himself when he left the office. Meanwhile, his sons were busy hiring investors from the Middle East for their various cryptocurrency adventures and other lucrative projects.

Diplomatically, perhaps more important than the places that Trump visited was the place he did not visit: Israel. His decision to visit and praise Arab countries before visiting America’s strongest and oldest ally in the area, did not go unnoticed.

Trump shows that the commercial opportunities offered by the Arab states – along with the excruciating possibility that such economic cooperation could help achieve a broader peace in the region, including Iran – overcame any desire to show Israel’s flag. The meeting with the new Syrian leader, Ahmed al -Saraa, was also a response to Israel, which considers him a terrorist threat.

« At the moment, with Trump, it seems to be less a case of ‘you don’t like him and so much’ and more of a case of ‘I go ahead, with or without you’, » wrote David Horovitz, a founding author and writer of The Times of Israel.

« With this trip, Trump raises the Gulf states and this by definition means that Israel’s regional significance is reduced to the president’s estimates. »

And there was the speech in Riyadh

Trump has found the opportunity to address the concentrated powerful and entrepreneurs to indirectly denounce the successive US governments – both parties – who are trying to shape the societies and policies of the region, often by force.

The real estate agent who became the praise of the glittering skyscrapers of the big cities who, he noted, were not created by American « national builders » or « neo -conservative » but by businessmen Arabs.

« In recent years, too many US presidents have been infected with the notion that it is our job to look at the souls of foreign leaders and to use US policy to give justice for their sins, » he said.

« I believe it is God’s job to judge – my work (is) to defend America and promote the fundamental interests of stability, prosperity and peace. »

« We are working on opportunities for cooperation with the US worth $ 600 billion, including agreements of more than $ 300 billion announced today during this forum, » said prince successor to Saudi Arabia.

No magnificent rhetoric for common values ​​or universal ideals. No threat or promise to use American power to defend friends and promote democratic change. No reference to constant alliances and agreements. On the contrary, a cold materialism, filled with enough dose of personal love, fruit from its efforts added as a kind of gratitude.

Critics condemn this approach as trading and opportunistic, undermining the long -term interests of the US.

But Trump has recognized better than legions of former government officials and foreign policy experts that we are living in a more balanced world in which America no longer dominates. It is involved in a struggle for superiority, the outcome of which will be determined – as always – by the financial advantage.