It is really an irony that the United States, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, is gradually becoming isolated in international affairs.
The US now seems to be withdrawing from all international platforms. Trump has caused serious concerns among the leaders of the European Union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is reported to have commented that Europe should stand on itself and "we should not depend on America anymore."
President Trump's announcement of US withdrawal from landmark Paris climate accord on June 02 triggered severe criticism across the world. Germany, France and Italy unequivocally criticised his decision and said the US could not unilaterally renegotiate the agreement. China and the European Union pledged to work unitedly to implement the Paris accord. Even Governors and Mayors of US states expressed their commitment to follow the Paris climate accord despite Trump's decision.
One hundred ninety-five countries signed the Paris climate accord in December of 2015 and by now as many as 147 countries, except Syria and Nicaragua, ratified it formally. Therefore, withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement means the US would be treated at par with Syria and Nicaragua.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres isreported to have commented, "Climate change is undeniable. Climate action is unstoppable. Climate solutions provide opportunities that are unstoppable while climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable". The Paris accord is the result of persuasion by immediate-past US President Barack Obama. It became the first global accord which in fact unified both developed and developing countries to cut emission. Bangladesh, being a developing country, is likely to face serious problem as the US is backing out of its commitment to finance for meeting the challenges of climate change.
President Trump also announced that the US would stall all contributions to the UN Green Climate Fund. For all practical purposes, leadership of fighting climate change will go to China, which is emerging as a global power economically by introducing its Belt and Road project.
During his first European tour last week, Trump repeatedly spurned America's long-time allies. At a NATO summit in Brussels, he attacked other member-states for not spending enough on defence. Trump also criticised Germany at a meeting with members of the European Union by chiding it 'bad, very bad for selling cars to the United States'.
After taking oath of office, President Trump pulled the US out of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on January 23 leaving to the backyard the emerging economies of the Pacific Rim. Obama's broader strategy was for TPP to increase the US clout in Asia and provide a check on China's growing economy and military alliance in Asia in particular. A professor of Trade Policy in Cornell University Eswar Prasad said, "This abrupt action so early in the Trump administration puts the world on notice that all of American traditional economic and political alliances are now open to reassessment and renegotiation. This could have an adverse long-run impact on the ability of the US to maintain its influence and leadership in world economic and political affair".
As a matter of fact, China by now is in negotiation to go for a free trade agreement with US hardcore allies, Japan and South Korea, to counter-balance the TPP. New Zealand, a member of TPP, invited China to join the partnership. China, in fact, will be the ultimate beneficiary of the Trump administration's withdrawal from international affairs. History will judge Trump harshly.
The writer is a retired diplomat from Bangladesh
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