Trump Exceptionalism

November 7, 2024

Donald Trump swept to power this week as American voters opted for a pro-business tough guy who will lower taxes, strengthen borders, build factories, deport illegals, and end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Voters chose a leader devoted to improving the country’s economic and military dominance, not extending opportunities to ordinary citizens. They opted for a ruthless “Chief Executive Officer” to navigate through scary times, cut red tape and costs, hobble foreign competitors, and unleash Silicon Valley to win the 21st-century technology race with China. Geopolitically, his approach will be businesslike. Diplomacy will be replaced with dealmaking. Trump plans to weaponize taxes, technology, tariffs, and tycoons like Elon Musk. His approach is unconventional and high risk, but plaudits poured in, and markets rose. Trump made two foreign policy promises: To end Russia’s war in Ukraine quickly and launch a trade war against China by imposing 60 percent tariffs. The Wall Street Journal concluded that the world now waits. “Leaders of U.S. allies and adversaries braced for quick shifts in American economic policy and the country’s approach to relations with the rest of the world.”