Summary
- USA has been missing in global climate leadership for 8 years
- Biden’s climate policy focuses on root causes of grievances and emission reductions
- USA is leaning into petrostate status while other countries invest in renewables
- US ceded manufacturing of climate technology to China
- Trump’s isolationism and focus on rich will hinder innovation and economic growth in USA
Article
The United States has been absent in global climate leadership for the past eight years, with Biden’s climate policies being seen as attempts to address working class grievances rather than reducing emissions. The country has leaned into its status as a leading petrostate, while other countries like Saudi Arabia invest heavily in renewable energy technologies. The USA’s lack of manufacturing in climate change technologies has led to a reliance on imports, especially from China. Biden’s tariffs aim to protect American industries, but the world continues to favor Chinese products for their affordability and quality.
Trump’s isolationist stance aligns with the current sentiment in the United States, with a focus on internal issues rather than military intervention abroad. While the USA has a large military presence globally, it has not been used for force projection under Biden or Trump. Trump’s lack of understanding of geopolitics, specifically regarding China, may lead to economic challenges for the US. Europe and China are pivoting away from American fossil fuel exports, with Europe implementing carbon border adjustments to remain competitive in the global market.
Innovation, a strength of the US in the past, is now being impacted by increasing racism and xenophobia, as well as China’s growing influence in research and development. Chinese scientists are returning to China, and foreign students are less likely to stay in the US after graduation. Trump’s rhetoric and policies may further deter foreign talent from coming to the US for education and research. The decline in foreign students and researchers could slow down American innovation, while China’s innovation continues to accelerate.
Economically, Trump’s policies are expected to benefit the top 20% of Americans while harming the bottom 80%. The gap in income equality and economic mobility is likely to widen under Trump’s administration, with the poor getting poorer and middle class wages stagnating. As the world transitions to cleaner energy sources, the US may lag behind due to expensive products and energy costs. The decline of the US economy could impact global markets, but Europe, China, and other countries are expected to continue moving forward without the US.
Despite the challenges posed by Trump’s policies, there is a hope that the world can assist the US in gracefully drawing down its military presence and finding solutions to global challenges. The continued exploitation of working and middle class grievances by Trump and his followers may lead to further social and economic disparities in the US. While the US declines, the rest of the world will progress with clean energy technologies and sustainable practices, leaving the US behind in the global shift towards decarbonization. The future implications of Trump’s policies remain uncertain, but there is a growing concern for the impact on both the US and the international community.
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