17.3 Foreign Policy: "America First" and Trade Wars

The "America First" foreign policy marked a shift in U.S. global engagement. It prioritized national interests over international cooperation, withdrawing from key agreements and straining alliances. This approach reshaped America's role on the world stage.

Trade tensions with China escalated, leading to tariffs and economic impacts. Meanwhile, a new approach to North Korea resulted in historic summits, though progress on denuclearization remained limited. These changes reflected a broader realignment of U.S. foreign relations.

"America First" Foreign Policy and Trade Tensions

"America First" foreign policy approach

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• Prioritizes U.S. interests over global cooperation by focusing on bilateral agreements (U.S.-Mexico) rather than multilateral deals (NAFTA)
• Seeks to reduce U.S. involvement in international organizations (UN) and agreements (Paris Climate Agreement)
• Strains relationships with traditional allies (NATO members) and creates uncertainty in global partnerships
• Shifts the balance of power in various regions as the U.S. reduces its global engagement

Withdrawal from international agreements

• Paris Climate Agreement withdrawal argued that the agreement disadvantaged the U.S. economically and raised concerns about U.S. commitment to combating climate change
• Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) withdrawal claimed Iran was not complying with terms and led to increased U.S.-Iran tensions
• Reduced funding and engagement with the United Nations criticized the UN for being ineffective and biased against the U.S., raising questions about the U.S. role in international cooperation

Trade tensions with China

• U.S. imposed tariffs on Chinese imports aimed to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and targeted industries like technology, steel, and aluminum
• China retaliated with tariffs on U.S. goods affecting agricultural products (soybeans), vehicles, and other exports
• Increased costs for consumers and businesses, disrupted global supply chains, and slowed economic growth, raising concerns about a potential trade war

U.S. approach to North Korea

• Initial escalation of tensions as North Korea continued nuclear and missile tests, while the U.S. imposed sanctions and engaged in a war of words
• Historic summit meetings between Trump and Kim Jong-un:

1. First meeting in Singapore (June 2018) discussed denuclearization and improving U.S.-North Korea relations
2. Second meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam (February 2019) ended abruptly without an agreement on denuclearization
3. Third brief meeting at the Korean Demilitarized Zone (June 2019) where Trump became the first U.S. president to set foot in North Korea

• Limited progress on denuclearization but reduced tensions compared to the pre-summit period, raising questions about the effectiveness of personal diplomacy in resolving complex issues