Amidst official ceremonial rituals, President elect Trump was
handed over the reins of the most powerful country today. Behind the façade of
the peaceful transition thousands have hit the roads carrying out protest
rallies. Several protestors even smashed shops and cars in Washington. Trump’s
stunning victory despite losing the popular vote by a margin of over 3 million
caused shock, dismay and anger among millions of Americans who refused to
accept him as their president. Understandably so, he has lowest popularity
rating of 48% as against 75% of Obama. Meanwhile, even as people started grudgingly
accepting Trump as the upcoming President, his audacious outbursts and Twitter
spats truly incensed liberals. While the Obama hadn’t left a great legacy
behind, the comparisons between the outgoing President and incoming President
began to haunt people. Consequently, departure of Obama despite several
misgivings was reckoned as end of an era of traditional politics and people
began to admire his creditable disposition. Both besides hailing from two
different Worlds made strikingly different impressions on the people making
deep impact on markedly different sections of the society. While Obama rode to
power on high horse of promise of hope and change, Trump adopted populism. Even
their idea of America was so very different. Obama, an aspiring young lawyer,
senator from Illinois fervently suffused with pragmatism was uniquely distinct
from Trump, a real estate billionaire who was a megalomaniac with no political
experience. Besides, Trump at 70 is the oldest President ever to take charge.
Having never held a public office, Trump’s actions and agenda for the country
was largely shrouded. Moreover, being mercurial there was a sense of
unpredictability regarding his approach.
Being predictably unpredictable, political analysts,
intellectuals and the entire world eagerly awaited his inaugural speech. In his
20 min long inaugural speech which was shortest since Jimmy Carter, he rallied
majorly on two important issues- bringing back jobs and infused patriotism. Against
all expectations, he neither any attempt to reach out to his dissenters nor
spoke of inclusiveness. His rather un-Presidential inaugural speech strongly reminisced
a campaigning trail. It lacked positivity and focused endlessly on what is
wrong. Not to sound too condescending, eight years ago, President Obama
inaugural presidential remarks were “On
this day we gather because we have chosen hope over, unity of purpose over
conflict and discord. On this day, we proclaim an end to the petty grievances
and false promises, the recriminations, and worn-out dogmas that for far too
long strangled our politics. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit;
to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift; that noble
idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise of all are
equal, all are free and that all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure
of happiness”. Unlike Obama who assumed charge when America was reeling
under severe economic recession, Trump is comfortably well placed. American
economy is stabilized, making rapid strides and ample jobs are created. But Trump’s
mean spirited and nasty speech had heightened the worries of sceptics.
Trump ruthlessly lashed out at the establishment and remarked
“for too long, a small group in our
nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of the government while the people have
borne the cost. Washington flourished…politicians prospered…the establishment
protected itself, but not the citizens of the country”. He spoke of poverty
stricken suburbs, rusted-out factories, unaffordable education, crimes, gangs,
and drugs. In short, he highlighted all the shortcomings of America. [Few
journalists, added that President Regan too in his inaugural address “pitted
himself and the American people against the elites”]. But painting a bleak
picture of the country on assuming charge might be utterly demoralizing.
By threatening to overhaul the existing alliances and blatantly
accusing that “we have made other
countries rich while the wealth, strength and confidence of our country has
dissipated over the horizon. The wealth of our middle class has been ripped
from their homes and then redistributed all across the world” he is forcing
US allies and especially EU to reevaluate their ties. Though there is no denial
of fact that shifting of manufacturing hubs away from US led to loss of jobs.
John Kerry in his remarks added that 85% jobs lost in America are not due to
trade but due to technological advancements. Trump’s audacious call to “unite civilized World against radical
Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely” in inaugural speech
can be delusional. It might have serious connotations too. By constantly
reiterating on American pride and reinforcing the doctrine of “making America great again” might fuel
xenophobia. It even sans inclusiveness. By pledging “protection will lead to great prosperity and strength”, Trump has
inadvertently strengthened President Xi’s position who projected China as the “new torch bearer of free trade” at Davos
Forum. In all, his plans of revamping infrastructure and rebuilding country are
worthy. “Buy American and hire American” slogan can send shivers down the
Indian IT companies who must really brace for tough crackdowns on H1B quota.
By and large, despite serious recriminations, World must live
up to the US President Trump and India especially must tread through the
friendship bridge to US very skillfully. More importantly India should be ready
for the proposition of protectionist US economy. Business may no longer be
usual. India must prepare itself for a new kind of economic order wherein
clinching bilateral deals might be challenging. Being a shrewd businessman and
having mastering the art of trade negotiations, going might be tough for India
under Trump.
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