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It’s a day for reflection. What was Biden’s term as president like and what will the next 4 years with Trump be like. The US is a divided country politically when power changes hands. A change to Biden is a change to the predictable. 4 years with Trump will be 4 years with something completely different, an unpredictable American president.

Goodbye to the predictable

I’m a European and I see Joe Biden through European eyes. A United States that we know where we stand is a prerequisite for stability in Europe. Joe Biden had two major wars to deal with. First Russia’s attack on Ukraine, then the war between Hamas and Israel. Both are wars in Europe’s neighborhood. The war in Ukraine is a war in Europe, in the breadbasket itself.

The support that the US, through Biden, has given to Ukraine has been crucial. My contention is that without this support, the Russian flag would be flying throughout Ukraine today. Without U.S. support, Putin might have continued his project to rebuild the old Soviet empire.

Joe Biden understood Europe. He understood how dangerous the Russians are. I’m not at all sure Trump understands it as well. Goodbye Biden and thanks for your help.

Biden was also caught up in the war between Hamas and Israel. “Yes, Israel really does have massive support in Western Europe, but we probably take a more balanced view of the conflict. A two-state solution is the only chance for lasting peace in the region. Biden understood that, but I’m not sure if Trump does.

Trade war and immigration

Trump is shaking his sabre when it comes to tariff walls on imports from both countries. Everything from China to Denmark, Canada and Mexico are threatened with tariff walls.

Such a policy is unlikely to lead to anything other than a global economic downturn that hits the US itself the hardest. Tariff walls on food imports will hit American consumers. Ultimately, it is they who will have to pay more for their food. The same applies to other products. A trade war is hardly something the world economy needs. With an unpredictable president, we don’t know. Is he serious about introducing tariffs that ultimately affect his own citizens?

From democracy to oligarchs

I’m also worried about the path the US is taking. With the world’s richest man as a key supporter, the extremely rich will gain even more power. It’s easy to think of oligarchies. The combination of extreme wealth and political power is extremely dangerous. This is largely associated with societies I don’t think the US wants to compare itself to.

Trump’s second presidential term could be a foretaste of the democracy that the US knows today. The entry of the oligarchs is at best a major challenge. The extremely rich will grab even more, while most Americans get crumbs.

Well, Biden, welcome to the unpredictable.

Sources:

https://www.usa.gov

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_presidential_election