AVILLAGEOFBIGHEADS

Let me lay my cards on the table before I start. I live in South Korea. I am a pacifist, socially liberal, economically centrist, and an atheist. Having said that, whether you agree with the role US played in Soviet Union’s collapse (Reagan Doctrine) or whether you believe US played a role in NATO’s expansion towards Russia, what is undeniable is that US has always been involved in other countries affairs. 

It would be imprudent to deny the positives that have come from America’s prodding. Setting aside the trillions—yes, TRILLIONS—of dollars that the U.S. has given out in aid, both economic and social, it has also provided largely unregulated access to its local market for countries such as Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Germany, enabling their exponential economic rise.

However, as part of its desire to serve as the absolute superpower, with an ambition to reign and lead the world, the United States of America has done so at ‘whatever the cost.’ From Iran in 1953 to Congo in 1960, to Brazil in 1964, to Cambodia, Vietnam, Chile, Guatemala, Iraq, and an endless list of other countries, America has meddled in foreign affairs, repeatedly under the guise of ‘selling democracy.’ It has upended the lives of millions across the globe. It has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians, but also saved millions of lives through Financial Aid. Along with Economic Aid, America has exported its version of happiness, wrapped in Hollywood glamour and generously sprinkled with ubiquitous American brands like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Coca-Cola.

America has caused pain too—plenty of it. Some in broad daylight. Some in darkness. Some covertly, through independent extensions of the government. Some brazenly, for all to see. However, the playbook for the way America functions overseas, over the years, irrespective of the elected government has been mostly consistent. Different hymn sheets, different conductors, but all singing the same tune—some in falsetto, others in forte—toward a pitch-perfect rendition of global hegemony.

Until Donald Trump.

No more falsettos. No more venerable, institutionalized conductors. No more singing in the dark. Trump is on the throne with the spotlight perpetually turned ON. A megaphone in his right hand. He’s got a conductor in Elon Musk orchestrating the entire show. Everyone on stage has the same hymn sheet. The ones who dare not sing are cast aside. The ones who question the rhythm, irrespective of their earned reputation are publicly shamed. 

This time, the U.S.’s objectives are plain to see—no more covert operations, no more wondering if you are part of the band. With the entire MAGA crowd in full voice, you’d have to have your head buried in the sand not to recognize what America’s objectives are now. You no longer have to speculate about what a secret US government agency might do with regards to Iran or Yemen. Trump will sing about it, followed by a chorus of approval, no matter the tune.

In the past, from the Korean War through Vietnam to Iraq, in the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., plans were scripted before allies were convinced to join in. Trump has tossed out that playbook. Now, he belts out the verses himself, expecting the world to watch in awe. 

In one year, he’s done enough to convince Canadians to boycott American products, forced Europeans to increase defense spending, and even threatened Gazans with the prospect of a Trump-branded resort as a tribute to himself, after evicting them from their own land. Most significantly, he has effectively legalized corruption (I could have added countless links to support this, but I settled for this). The only constant in all this chaos has been Trump’s admiration for rogue leaders like Putin and Kim Jong Un.

What Trump wants is America to be the only one stage and wants everyone else off it. Everyone standing in awe and admiration of what’s on stage. The problem though is, it doesn’t matter whether it’s Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, BTS’s Dynamite or Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb, no music is ever to everyone’s taste. With all allies booted off stage, Trump has started singing. Verses lauding Putin, lambasting Canada, Europe & Mexico. Verses praising specific American values that align with himself and then a chorus generously sprinkled with superlatives praising himself. It isn’t enough that Trump is singing, his orchestrator in chief is remixing his tunes and playing them again to bigger crowds on X.

Trump’s followers happily heap praise on what Trump’s chest thumping tune has achieved. Europe has increased its defense budget. Canada has promised to stop the 0.2% flow of Fentanyl into US. No more money is sent to Ukraine. USAid has been cancelled. Hey Ho !! 

What Trump has inadvertently done is give countries an opportunity to stop singing from America’s hymn sheet and start singing their own song, to rely less on America. He is inadvertently creating a more level playing field. With Europe increasing its defense spending (and boosting military production), Asian countries such as India, South Korea, and Indonesia will have viable alternatives to the U.S. for arms deals. Eventually, this shift will also create opportunities for these countries to engage in bilateral trade deals, bypassing the U.S. dollar and trading in their own currencies. It is important to remember that the U.S. military remains the most potent force in the world, but Trump is giving others a chance to compete.

In order to reduce spending, US has cut more than 80% of all US Aid programs. These Aid programs were more than just the money being offered. These programs were an opportunity for America to sell itself to receiving nations. To influence economic & social policies in receiving countries. Trump is happily giving up this opportunity. China would be foolish not to step into the void left by US. China can enhance its Belt and Road initiative to help more developing countries and thus increase its global influence.

In a 2 month period, Trump has managed to anger folks across the Atlantic, as well as America’s Northern border and Southern border. Let there be no mistake made here. Trump’s ardent supporters aren’t angry. They are gleefully rejoicing in what Trump has “achieved.”

“We finally have a leader who’s not giving out handouts.”
“America first.”
“USA, baby.”

All true. But the reason America found a willing audience globally was because of what it had proven to be over the years: an ally, a friend, a charitable provider, a benevolent supporter. Trump has no time for these hollow virtues.

Instead, what Trump seeks is adoration, from his countrymen; wealth, for himself and his buddies and fear, from those who oppose him. 

For over 100 years now, America sang a song, and the world listened. Trump has ripped apart the hymn sheet. He’s singing a new song, and his acolytes are loving it. The rest of the world, not so much. America is putting itself first at the expense of others, as it has every right to. But finally, the world has a chance to move on, no longer looking to that stage where America once sat, resplendent in its own grandeur, content in its dominion, singing for all to hear & fear.

Trump is giving everyone an opportunity to write their own song and not having to listen to the American tune anymore. I for one, expect a cacophony of noise in the years ahead. Will the noise be better than the music? Time will tell.