The dawning of a new era?

Today, Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45th US president, and with him dawns a new era in US relations with the international community.

In the US’ immediate neighbourhood, Trump promised to build a wall to separate his country from Mexico, for which he wants to make Mexicans pay, and to impose a new customs duties regime on Canada.

Trump has already made contemptuous remarks about NATO, which he considers a useless relic of a past era, and towards which he believes the US pays too much.

He also spoke derogatorily about the EU and praised Britain for opting out of the European Union.

Judging by his rhetoric so far, the US-Chinese relations are up for a turn to the worse. Trump seems to have no problem reversing his country’s long-standing one-China policy, one clear red line for Beijing.

Trade relations between China and the US can also be expected to sour if Trump goes ahead with the threat to increase taxes on imported Chinese goods and services.

On the other hand, Trump’s relations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin promise to be warm. Nothing, until now, appears to make Trump budge from his comradely feelings towards the “strong” Russian president.

Of course, nothing should be taken for granted with the new US leader, but judging from his “determination”, so far, he may do exactly what he says he will be doing, not necessarily a good thing.

For us, in the region, his hinting at disengagement from much of the area could be a reason to rejoice.

Less American interference, fewer reasons for animosity towards the US. And, maybe, some countries will realise that they have to rely on their own efforts to effect positive change domestically.

The very bad part in relation to the Middle East, however, concerns the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on which Trump’s mind is made up already.

He is siding with Israel on the status and future of Jerusalem, on settlements, on aid, on everything that will further embolden the extreme rightwing Israeli government to continue its expansionist policy and its oppression of the Palestinians, with even more impunity.

The appointment of his young and inexperienced son-in-law as senior adviser gives no reason for optimism. He is inexperienced and is no politician. Or, the protracted conflict between Israelis and Palestinians needs seasoned politicians who at least know what they are talking about.

That said, the world will have to adjust to a new type of US president.

The international community must show restraint, keep a cool head and be hopeful.

The demands of a president’s position would place certain limits on Trump, so one should just hope for the best.