India needs to tread cautiously on matters of bilateral relations encompassing trade, investment, immigration, and technological cooperation with the US
Welcome to an era where many of the global leaders today have started cultivating an aura of importance around them that is difficult to ignore. If the feeling of importance translates to mean haughtiness, so be it.
This is the demeanour exhibited by the current corps of next-generation leaders who, despite taking the onerous task of navigating a complex rigmarole of challenges, including political, economic, social, and international issues that plague their country, place self-importance above all other considerations.
As a tactic used to assert dominance or superiority, such bumptiousness may have helped them gain attention and remain in the limelight. However, their arrogance bordering on sheer contempt for any opposition is indicative of the overwhelming power they exercise.
But the tendency towards odd, unpredictable behaviour or ideas culminating in a pattern of defiance is too often a streak that runs through all these ‘great’ men. Stubbornness, one could call it, but one that is all too apparent!
In the present context no one else but Donald Trump the President of the United States of America fits the bill to a T. If the ‘craziness’ that is going on in the United States of America is any indication of the political polarization, economic anxieties, and the pervasive influence of social media in the country, it can only mean that Uncle Sam is embracing a new brand of governance.
With all the ‘antics’ that goes into making America great again, the ‘Trump concept’ of Presidency has ushered in an era of uncertainty that many fear will have a direct bearing on the continuity of the country’s domination of the global order.
The contention of American political scientist Michael Beckley that ‘with a secure homeland and a peerless economy, the United States can do stupid things over and over again without suffering severe punishment’ is essentially an American display of pride coupled with contempt or disdain for others.
If one is to go by the opinion that “today’s United States is currently experiencing the farcical stage of a charismatic leader with dubious motivations that could end up as a national and global tragedy,” it is apparent that President Trump is charting a disastrous course.
Termed as “absurd in tone, dangerously real in consequence,” the ‘feud’ between President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk comes across as one that serves to be a stark reminder of the idiosyncrasies that has typified the Trump regime so far.
Announcing his plans on his social media platform X that he had set up the ‘American Party’ to challenge the two-party system in the country and to give Americans their freedom back, the US tech billionaire seems to be headed on a collision course with President Trump.
President Donald Trump’s love for catchy acronyms has been quite evident ever since assuming office. Turning catchphrases like MAGA, DOGE and MAHA into slogans, his emphasis on prioritizing national interests is quite obvious.
For all purposes, the foreign policies of the Trump administration too mirror the same approach. Often described as ‘America First’, it is characterized by a ‘transactional and often confrontation style’.
The preposterous call for Canada to become its 51st state, considering that Canada relies entirely on the US and not the other way round, is an expression of his aggressiveness which he likes to bring in every time there is parley of sorts between nations.
Claims of ‘brokering peace’ between several nations maintaining a confrontational stance with others notwithstanding, doubts have however been expressed about his ‘capability’ to trigger Third World war due to his impatient ways.
For, threats and intimidations have been a way with him, and the President of the United States appears to gloat over these fanciful traits of his.
Having disrupted global financial markets and diplomatic ties, Trump’s ‘Tariff’ drama meanwhile has entered a new phase with the President of the United States holding out a fresh warning to any country aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of the BRICS bloc.
Trump's comments obviously mark a new front in the global economic war, signalling a fresh chapter in ‘confrontational intimidation’ which ensures that the might of the US is never challenged!
But where exactly does India stand in the order of things for the United States of America in the Trump era! The ‘bear-hugging’ policy of Prime Minister Modi notwithstanding, India needs to tread cautiously on matters of bilateral relations encompassing trade, investment, immigration, and technological cooperation with the US.
Considering the ‘blow hot, blow cold’ relation that India has been maintaining with its hostile neighbours, the Asian balance of power is too sensitive a matter not to feature in deliberations with the US. However, experts are of the opinion that India should be cautious in its relationship with the US due to potential strategic and economic vulnerabilities.
“While the US is a valuable partner in trade and defence, there are concerns about US foreign policy objectives, the potential for coercion, and the impact of its actions on India’s strategic autonomy.”
Let us however understand that the US cannot undermine India’s worth considering that India’s growing economic and geopolitical influence makes it a key partner for the US and other nations.
But finally it will be POTUS who decides!
For an individual who wields significant power and influence on the global stage, particularly due to the country’s economic and military strength, President Trump comes across as a person who likes to have his own way no matter what.
The media might have painted him with a very sarcastic brush, but the man makes no bones about his boisterous ways. The term ‘enigma’ and the ‘Trump persona’ definitely complement each other.
