US Trade Representative Katherine Tai delivers her closing remarks at the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum at the Nasrec Expo Centre on November 4, 2023. South Africa and Africa, as with his first term, will not be in Donald Trump’s purview because Trump has one agenda only: to make America great again, says the writer. Picture: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Dr. Wesley Seale
DONALD Trump’s indoor inauguration, this past week, as the not-so-new president of the United States was symbolic of his cold reception in Washington DC.
Normally held outdoors on the west front of the US Capitol, the seat of the US Congress or parliament, this year the ceremony was performed in the building’s rotunda because of the cold weather.
Trump will be coldly congratulated by those operating in the ‘Washington bubble’ and, no doubt he, together with his team as was the case eight years ago, will have a very cold attitude towards those working in the federal, or national, government.
Already on Inauguration Day, the Washington Post reported that the incoming administration had prepared executive orders, “reducing federal staff, union rights”, for the new president to sign.
But while the battle for the soul of the Republican Party ended approximately six years ago, the battle for the soul of the Trump presidency has just begun.
Both being unorthodox, Team Trump 2025 is a very different one from the one which entered the White House in 2017 and herein lies opportunities for South Africa and the globe.
Team Trump 2017 has not simply been replaced, though. They comprise the Republican party and old hawks such as conservative political strategist, Steve Bannon, whereas Team Trump 2025 is comprised of tech billionaires such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos.
In recent weeks, leading up to the inauguration, Bannon attacked Team Trump 2025 illustrating the ideological battle that will persist throughout the next four years.
In an interview with the Italian publication, Corriere della Sera, Bannon asked: “Why do we have South Africans, the most racist people on earth, White South Africans…making any comments at all on what goes on in the United States?”
Singling out the world’s wealthiest man, Bannon suggested that Elon Musk come back to South Africa.
While Bannon and his ilk are rather racist themselves being the architects of much of the Trump administration’s policies on immigration and Muslims, he is not far off in his comments about Musk and racism.
Just over a month ago, Musk’s father, a resident of the West Coast town of Langebaan, interviewed with a national weekly newspaper here in South Africa and confirming the racial undertones of his comments, Errol Musk stated that given the government of national unity (GNU), “…the ANC needs to include people from all races in their government”.
But Musk snr may be wrong about his son not having time “to give South Africa the slightest thought…”
In recent weeks, Musk jnr has seemed to have a particular interest in the governments of several countries; commenting on the politics of the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland.
In all these countries, US allies, he has cosied up to the right and seemingly, he would be pleased with rightwing parties such as the Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, Inkatha Freedom Party and Patriotic Alliance, among others, being in the GNU.
When visiting Capitol Hill, the tour guide could not answer my question about why presidential inaugurations took place at the Congress building.
One surmises that it has something to do with the US system of governance and constitution which gives preference to the legislative arm of the state. The Constitution writers had just fought with an English monarch with absolute power.
The first article of the US Constitution sets out the powers of the Congress.
Herein lies another opportunity for South Africa: our leaders must meet more frequently and convince members of Congress.
While the US presidency plays an influential role in foreign policy, it is not unhindered and Congress too has sway over US foreign relations, especially towards Africa and South Africa.
For now, US allies seem to be more in Trump’s targeting line than do partners like Africa and South Africa.
For example, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on Canadian goods; the same for goods from Mexico. He calls Canada the 51st state of the US.
Having withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement as well as the World Health Organization on his first day in office, Trump will have a hard line for NATO.
Even Israel, the US’ longtime ally in the Middle East, is having a tough time; hence the ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the hostages. The antithesis of Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy hitherto.
Insofar as South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice is concerned, Trump will consult the Saudis and may even use the case as leverage against the Israelis.
South Africa and Africa, as with his first term, will not be in Trump’s purview because Trump has one agenda only: to make America great again while this does not mean that he automatically sees everyone else as enemies.
As he commenced his inaugural address, he was emphatic that “… the golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, [his] country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.”
But when he says he wants America to be respected again, Trump does not have Africa or countries such as South Africa in mind. Rather it is allies that he has in mind and those allies who he thinks have sponged off US support.
During a press conference on Inauguration Day, he toned down on his rhetoric against BRICS this time merely suggesting that BRICS countries should have balanced trade with the US while thinking Spain to be a member of the group.
China, seen by Americans as their primary adversary today, will come in the firing line. Beijing, more than Tshwane, should have much more concern although reports suggest that Trump has already indicated he wants to visit China.
Yet even China’s approach will be ‘hide and bide’ as they did during Trump’s first term.
As with his last term, for good or for bad, Trump will not prioritize Africa or South Africa. Unless, of course, his ‘first buddy’, Elon Musk, casts his rightwing eye back home again.
* Dr. Wesley Seale has a PhD in international relations.
** The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The African.