The true faces of the America First

#true #faces #America

Consul General of China in Lahore

Donald Trump will return to the White House on Monday (January 20), and his America First ideology will once again be a point of contention for the international community and regional countries.

America First has always troubled the world with one different branding after another. Like old wine in a new bottle, it seeks to pressure and contain China, and incites regional countries to compete with each other to ensure US global dominance.

America First is, by nature, a populist policy and an imperialist quest to maintain American political hegemony. For a long time, the United States has been engaged in changing other countries and adapting the international system to its own values ​​and interests. Under the guise of democracy and human rights, the US has interfered in the internal affairs of many other countries, and is involved in nurturing anti-government and anti-state elements to engage in subversive activities. Based on its interests, the US has often categorized other countries into partners, allies, rivals, adversaries, enemies, pariah states and rogue states, etc.

Self-interest drives America to build relationships with other countries and regions, and when there are high stakes, it jumps right in. Otherwise, America simply remains indifferent. There is no exception in dealing with its so-called close allies. For example, Donald Trump’s recent public approach to the Panama Canal and the annexation of Greenland has clearly demonstrated MAGA’s (Make America Great Again) marriage of convenience with Panama and Denmark.

In the multilateral arena, America First has also adopted a “free-to-leave” approach, taking what is acceptable and rejecting what is not, and irresponsible dealings with international treaties and global institutions. Did, willingly violate international norms and rules. Donald Trump’s last term has seen the unilateral and forceful withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council, UNESCO, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Paris Agreement, and other important international platforms. The US has even reneged on its climate finance pledges for developing countries.

While the need arises, America can immediately boast that “America is back.” The US government has sought to take advantage of climate change to control the global green supply chain and maintain its dominant position through climate governance.

America First also pursues military supremacy. In the nearly two and a half centuries since its founding, the United States has been involved in countless battles and wars. In the short span of just 16 years, wars involving the United States did not begin. The war machine launched by him spared almost no corner of the world and caused immense suffering to the common people, causing severe hardship to the people all over the world.

In the first eight months of 2024, U.S. foreign military sales topped $80 billion, more than the total in fiscal 2023. The massive military-industrial complex was held hostage.

Since 2001, more than 900,000 people have been killed, including about 335,000 civilians, as a result of wars and military operations launched by the United States in the name of counter-terrorism. Millions have been injured, and millions have been displaced. At the same time, the United States has benefited from the acquisition of its military power. Former U.S. Secretary of State Blankenship once openly stated that most of the money spent on military aid to Ukraine would return to the U.S. and help create major job opportunities. It clearly shows that peace is not at the bottom of the American heart, and the more tense the situation, the more it can take advantage of.

America First is also rooted in America’s pursuit of economic supremacy. For a long time, the United States has often adjusted its macroeconomic policies unilaterally and arbitrarily. Its excessive dollar hegemony, which further exacerbated and aggravated the debt burden of emerging markets and developing countries, dealt a heavy blow to economies and adversely affected economic recovery and growth.

Over the past few years, with the appreciation of the dollar and fiscal tightening, a quarter of emerging markets are in or near debt distress, and more than 60 percent of low-income countries are in debt crisis. . Regional countries like Pakistan have been affected by the “magical power” of the US dollar. The US has resorted to more sanctions, long-arm jurisdiction and protectionist practices than ever before, building “small yards and high walls”, and artificially disrupting global manufacturing and supply chains, driving down production costs. Margin increased.

Since coming to power in 2021, the Biden administration has not only maintained the high-tariff policies initiated by Trump’s first term, but also strengthened “decoupling” and “ridicule” against China in various guises. As a result, twelve Asian countries, including Pakistan, have lost their technology and innovation capacity.

Ignoring the dynamic and inclusive economic cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific region, the US has introduced the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) which has set huge limits in the digital economy, labor standards and clean sectors. Energy, trying to force regional countries to follow an intolerable US path and reshaping the regional economic order. It is against the overall interests of the region.

There is no denying that the Asia-Pacific region has experienced sustained stability and rapid economic growth over the past decades, and America’s assertion that it is committed to the region’s prosperity by always pursuing America First and every Time serves its own instinctive interests. Resonating well with regional countries.

China is committed to the Belt and Road Initiative and is promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind and firmly holds the moral high ground, which is in stark contrast to the US’s first approach. In keeping with the trend of the moment, regional countries should stick to common security and the Asian way, focusing on joint cooperation and mutual benefit.

Inclusion in the process should prevail. China regards Asia as a common home and holds peace and stability close to its heart and has always been the architect, supporter and protector of peace, development and prosperity in the region and the world. In the face of unilateralism and protectionism, China has continued to open up, realize reciprocal visa exemptions with 25 countries, implement unilateral transit visa exemptions for 38 countries, and become one of the least developed countries. 100% tariff lines have been given zero tariff treatment with countries having diplomatic relations. As it begins China’s modernization, China will bring its vast market access and tremendous opportunities to the region, bringing new momentum to regional stability, growth and prosperity.