Only half a year into President Donald Trump’s administration and the world’s leaders are running the other direction. Trump is not only incredibly unpopular internationally, he’s considered one of the least-trustworthy presidents to hold the job.
In Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, governments are assessing shifting American priorities and in some cases seeking alternative sources of leadership and partnership. This is likely to be on full display as Trump heads to Europe for important NATO and G20 summits.
One of the U.S.’s strongest allies, Germany, is sounding the alarm bell. In an address to the German parliament last week, Chancellor Angela Merkel made sure to direct these comments directly at the Trump administration:
“Whoever believes the problems of this world can be solved by isolationism and protectionism is making a tremendous error.”
Those sentiments are being echoed much closer to home by our neighbors to the north. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland was just as blunt about their distrust of Trump foreign relations:
“The fact that our friend and ally has come to question the very worth of its mantle of global leadership, puts into sharper focus the need for the rest of us to set our own clear and sovereign course… For Canada that course must be the renewal, indeed the strengthening, of the postwar multilateral order.”
It seems that the Trump cry of “America First” means that globally, it no longer is. Foreign leaders are signaling an end to the American era of economic boom and diplomatic strength. China seems eager to step into the role of economic powerhouse. Germany, begrudgingly, seems to be assuming more of a diplomatic leadership role.
People in the Trump administration, of course, reject this idea. National security adviser H.R. McMaster said:
“America First … does not mean America alone. President Trump has demonstrated a commitment to American alliances because strong alliances further American security and American interests.”
And yet the world is moving on. They don’t like Trump, and they don’t like America under Trump.
The message is pretty clear.
Featured Image: Screenshot Via YouTube Video.
