Trump's Impact on International Relations

Dr. Andrea Bartoli, Dean of the School of Diplomacy & International Relations at Seton Hall University, and Steve Adubato explore the topics of international conflict relations, peacemaking, and the impact of the Trump Administration on United States’ relationship with other countries.

7/14/18 #215

 

 

 

 

Excerpt:

"We're joined by Dr. Andrea Bartoli, Dean of the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. Good to see you Doctor. Good to see you. So many things going on internationally? Yes, we are a New Jersey-based show, but New Jersey needs to be connected to the rest of the world. Could you help us understand this? The US relations right now, largely through President Trump, and its current connection to our, quote unquote, "European allies" and let's say Canada as well, how are we doing toward the end of June 2018? How are we doing? So the USA is doing what President Trump announced during his campaign. And so, in that sense, it's interesting, because President Trump is just keeping his words. So the Europeans are clearly startled by this... Why? He said it? And he's doing it? Exactly. So why are you surprised? Well, because this is really a departure. And it's a departure because for administration, both Republican and Democrat, the Europeans and the Canadians were clearly the fundamental bedrock of the international system. President Trump is unusual. President Trump is an independent president, fundamentally. He's breaking away from a lot of cliche - a lot of things that were done in the past, and he's exploring new territories. So he doesn't consider an alliance as the one that the US had with Europe and Canada as a bedrock. He is renegotiating everything. Including trade? Especially trade. Especially trade. Because for him, trade speaks volumes about power. So what the Europeans are... having difficulties, is that President Trump is clearly pushing a speed of change, an intensity of the change, that for the Europeans is just a little bit off-putting. So, when the President says, "You know what? Vladimir Putin. He should be part of our group. He belongs with us." Yes. You think what? Well, I think that it is important to speak with everybody. I do fear, however, when we are speaking only, or primarily, to authoritarian figures around the world. I don't have any problem with... Be it the leader of North Korea? Be it the leader of...? China. China. Right. Be it the the leaders of Russia and then some... They're not demo... they're not, quote unquote, "democratic societies"? They are definitely not. And Europe is. So it's an interesting signal that you are sending around of what really counts. And it's fundamentally a lesson on power. The ones that do have power, we are talking to. The ones that are procedural, the ones that are participatory, the ones that are truly democratic, well we are not that interested. Because in many ways, they are weak. But Dr. Bartoli..."