America’s Reputation is Plummeting and There’s Only One Man to Blame

On December 26, 1991 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics fell apart, symbolically ending Cold War tensions and sending a shockwave through the international community. With Gorbachev’s empire replaced by a plethora of independent commonwealth states, the United States took the helm as the only remaining global superpower, bolstered by the world’s largest military and economic prosperity. Despite an expanded cast of foreign enemies, the United States had won the respect of nations the world over, consistently playing a role in multinational politics.

The position of the United States as a world superpower, along with the de facto recognition of the President of the United States as the “Leader of the Free World,” has come under threat recently. The aforementioned changes are not the result of collective action but rather stem from the erratic and irresponsible decisions of our nation’s leader: President Donald John Trump.

While I strongly disagree with President Trump’s domestic agenda, his most damaging actions have been in the global sphere, disparaging the reputation and integrity of America to all who will listen. Beginning with allegations of collusion and election interference with Russia as well as close ties to Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, The President’s actions have fundamentally altered the world’s perception of the United States.

The issue in question is not a new one, since his election the President has been systemically damaging American global affairs. When President Trump revealed Israeli-gathered intelligence with a codeword classification to Russian officials in the Oval Office earlier this week, he not only violated the norms of information sharing, but potentially made it more difficult for the United States to maintain the trust of other international allies. What’s more, Israel’s adverse relationship with Russian ally Iran makes the situation at hand far worse by potentially exposing the Israelis while benefitting those who they oppose.

The President’s meeting with the Russians was far from an isolated incident. After bashing her on the campaign trail, Trump angered German Prime Minister Angela Merkel during a joint press conference by making reference to her phone being tapped by the NSA during the Obama administration. When Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to visit, the President flubbed his foreign counterpart’s name, referring to him as “Prime Minister Shinzo”. This is the rough equivalent of Abe calling Trump “President Donald”. During a call with the Australian Prime Minister, Trump got worked up upon being told of a deal from the Obama years to take in a few thousand Australian refugees and reportedly ended the call early due to frustration.

Now as Trump departs for Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine, The Vatican, Italy, and Belgium on an eight day tour, it seems like a fever dream to imagine the President returning without at least one damaging incident. Despite an overambitious and ill-planned domestic policy, President Trump’s most significant impact on the United States continues to come in the foreign sphere. Through immature missteps and a near constant demonstration of poor diplomacy, our President has made his incompetence clear and effectively tanked America’s global status.