Evaluating Donald Trump's Impact on US Grand Strategy: A Report

This report analyzes whether Donald Trump significantly altered the US grand strategy compared to previous administrations. It begins by defining grand strategy and its components, then examines the US's pre-Trump strategy, which focused on maintaining a liberal world order, supporting legal immigration, and forming alliances. The main body of the report assesses changes made under Trump, including his zero-sum approach to foreign policy, his questioning of alliances, and his stance on free trade agreements like NAFTA. The analysis includes critical perspectives, such as Brahma Chellaney's view on the US's economic decline, and independent thinking on the impact of Trump's policies on international relations. The report concludes with a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of Trump's changes and provides recommendations for future strategies, emphasizing fair trade, economic support for startups, and improved international relations. The report uses multiple sources including books, journals, and online articles to support its claims.

Donald Trump has 'not'
changed US Grand Strategy
from his predecessors

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Grand strategy is the power utilising to secure the state and the same exists above the
particular strategies with the intention of securing particulars ends as well as above using
military power to accomplish political objectives. This report is based on the topic “ Donald
Trump has 'not' Changed US Grand Strategy from his predecessors.” it will discuss different
authors views on the topic along with critical analysis on it. Because there are several things
which done by Donald Trump is in the favour and whereas, few are not discussion on these are
done. In the end, thinking of individual related to the respective topic discussed.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
Critical analysis ..........................................................................................................................6
Independent thinking...................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
RECOMMENDATION...................................................................................................................8
REFRENCES...................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Grand Strategy is simply understood as, utilisation of power for securing the state. In this
protection or security is not with the help of military but individually for achieving political
objectives (Blackwill, Robert and Ashley 2015). This report is based on the topic,” Donald
Trump has 'not' Changed US Grand Strategy from his predecessors.” moreover, Donald Trump is
the 45th President of The United State and he is borned in 1946 on 14th June. As profession he is
politician, businessmen and real estate developer. Below mention assignment is going to explain,
US grand strategy before and after Donald Trump. Along with positive as well as negative both
aspects changed United State Grand strategy.
MAIN BODY
Grand strategy- It can be described as usage of power to assure the security of the state.
Grand strategy stands above the level of particular strategies to secure specific ends. Also, is
level above the usage of military power in order to attain political objectives (Understanding
U.S. Grand Strategy, 2018). It is linked to National security strategies, Defence strategic
guidance, National military strategies, etc. In order to achieve it, the engagement of society in the
country's national defence, global network economy, domestic politics is important.
Grand Strategy of US before Donald Trump- Before revolution, the defence security
of entire colonies were in the hands of British crown and the local defence was taken care by
colonial militia. However, the Grand strategy of US was quite consistent during the time period
of 1992 and 2016(Donald Trump’s grand strategy, 2018). The agenda was to maintain and
outspread the liberal world order. The administration's National security strategy report reflects a
powerful version of liberal internationalism. Due to this, the main objectives of military
predominance were entailed. Albeit paired up with web of security alliances and membership in
the international organisations which resulted in minimising the trade barriers and helped in
spreading the democracy. Additionally, every administration supported the legal immigration as
they view it as a bridge towards desirable economically and acceptable culturally. Another
important containment that needs to be highlighted is with US and other alliance countries where
the United states promised to provide certain aid at the time of Cold War.
Grand Strategy after Donald Trump- After Donald Trump, many changes have been
made in Grand strategy of US. The president represents a biased break from the post 1945
agreement. He choose a zero-sum philosophy i.e foreign policy is about winning at the cost of

other countries, which is opposite to his predecessors. Furthermore, his perception about a liberal
world and the level of enthusiasm that was attained among his supporters raises a primal
question regarding the future of international system and US grand strategy.
According to Jack Thompson, the successful presidential campaign of Donald Trump
reintroduced populist nationalism to the conventional mainstream (Brands,2014). The president
blamed free trade and immigration for the bad situation of working-class whites. He questioned
long-standing security alliance, dismissed democratic norms, and accused economical and
political upper crust for using globalisation to raise themselves at the cost of the whole country.
Donald Trump disapproved the foundation of liberal world order. He promoted the path that will
maximise the interest of the whole nation in Grand strategy of US. However, the most
noteworthy example of containment between US and its allies was during the time of cold war.
An important tool of understanding the US grand strategy is the National Security strategy.
Though, these written materials are often judged as governmental work which lacks
specifications, as each NSS provides insight vision. They help in highlighting the current context
with the help of which the grand strategy was developed (Trump and the Future of US Grand
Strategy, 2017).
Unethical Trading (NAFTA)- The North American Free Trade Agreement is a three-
country concord discussed between the governments of Unites States, Canada and Mexico.
President Donald Trump stated that this agreement has undermined the jobs and manufacturing
of US. In October, 2018, his governance proposed a deal with Canada and Mexico which was an
updated version of the accord known as USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement). However, it
has resulted to cause difficulties in cracking deals due to other factors such as expanded trade
with other countries such as China, Frequent changes in technology, uncorrelated domestic
developments in all the dealing countries. Along with this, there has been various arguments
regarding legacy of NAFTA on wages level and employment. Also, various industries are facing
commotion because of their huge lose of market shares which has occurred due to increased
competition and new market opportunities (Gore,2017). The US-Mexico trade balance has lower
down from approx. $1.7 billion US surplus in 1993 to near by $54 billion deficit by 2014. This
shows a huge loss for the US economy. Along with this, NAFTA has resulted in loss of some
6,00,000 jobs of US citizens over the two decades. The auto sector of US has lost near by

3,50,000 jobs since 1994 which is equal to one third of the whole industry whereas the
employment of auto sector in Mexico has increased from approx. 1,20,000 to 5,50,000. This
shows a more positive impact on other countries than to Unites States (NAFTA’s Economic
Impact, 2018).
Critical analysis
According to the Brahma Chellaney, Donald Trump is not responsible or liable for
America's relative decline. Because, before Trump took office economy of US is already down
falling at the time of Ronald Reagan's. This situation occur because of high investment in
military and wars Krieg,(2016). Thus, it is the reason behind falling economy which is not even
stable till now. So for coming out of all these issues Donald Trump taken major steps i.e.,
companies of The United States have to do business in their own nation and rise economy. But at
some place it result is destroying global relationship of United State (Trump’s Grand Strategy,
2018).
Apart from this there is some negative impact also Grand strategies after Donald Trump.
Explanation of these are as follows:-
 Failed to understand regional political situations – World is full of several political
situations in these it is the duty of country president to take proper decision. But Donald
Trump fail to understand all these and at some level not able to take appropriate decision
which result in loss for the United States economy.
Independent thinking
In relation to the United State grand strategies after Donald Trump some own views are
mention below :-
 Donald Trump have to implement fair trade policies because such unequal trading results
in discrimination with other nations. Applying NAFTA shows that he is doing treating
several countries by providing free trade. Whereas, remaining few have to play while
doing import and export. Here, NAFTA is North American Free Trade Agreement which
is signed by the government or legal bodies of Canada, Mexico and The United States.
 Economic down falling which was the issue before Donald Trump joining is still now
continue because they invest huge amount in wars. But to overcome with this, decision of
Donald Trump is right for US companies to do business in own country because mostly

all the enterprise of respective nation are going out for their operations which directly
giving negative impact on economy of The United States.
 Moreover, at some place such strategies result in breaking relation of The United States
at global level Mazarr, Michael(2017). Thus, Donald Trump have to make such decision
which not affect relationship and result in upliftment of economy such are starting small
business, providing job opportunities to several peoples and so on.
 As per my views, Donald Trump should make several changes in the Grand strategy. As
he has made several changes in agreements of international trade agreement i.e NAFTA.
Though there have been certain negative impact on the economy of US, but these
agreements cannot be blamed alone. Due to these agreements, the relationship with other
countries are beneficial. I also believe that more job opportunities should be created for
citizens of US in order to improve the current condition of economy and employment
growth (Mertha, Andrew 2014). Additionally, I would like to suggest that the
government should initiate more in globalisation as it helps in the growth of economy and
maintains better relationship with all the countries which is very important for the long
term survival of a country.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that there has been certain advantages as
well as disadvantages after the changes that have been made in the Grand strategy of US. Before
implementing the changes, the people were free to operate their businesses globally. Whereas,
after the election of Donald Trump, there has been certain restrictions to operate such function.
US is one of the strongest countries which is well known for its security power and alliance with
other countries. Though, the president have rejected to follow the prior regulations and norms of
the Grand Strategy and asked the countries to pay respective amount in order to utilise the
services. This has helped the citizens of the country by empowering the country and economic
growth which is a positive impact on the country itself. In contrast, it has caused a huge
influence on relationship with other International alliance countries. This has lead to a bad
consequences of changes made by Donald Trump in Grand Strategy of United States.

RECOMMENDATION
From the above discussion it has been recommanded that, Donald Trump have to remove
NAFTA have provide fair trade services for every country because such strategies result in
breaking relation with other nations. Apart, for raising economy Donald Trump have to take
major steps such as help start-ups through financial supports as well as provide employment
opportunities to several peoples. Along with this, for building relation there is requirement of
implementing fair trade policies and perfect decision related to political situation. So that no
issues can be raised in future. Hence, some issue are raised before of Donald Trump and few
after him which needed to be resolved in proper manner.

REFRENCES
Books and Journals
Blackwill, Robert D., and Ashley J. Tellis. Revising US grand strategy toward China. Council on
Foreign Relations, 2015.
Brands, Hal. What good is grand strategy?: Power and purpose in American statecraft from
Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush. Cornell University Press, 2014.
Gore, Al. The Assault on Reason: Our Information Ecosystem, from the Age of Print to the Era
of Trump. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2017.
Krieg, Andreas. "Externalizing the burden of war: the Obama Doctrine and US foreign policy in
the Middle East."International Affairs 92, no. 1 (2016): 97-113.
Mazarr, Michael J. "The once and future order: what comes after hegemony." Foreign Aff. 96
(2017): 25.
Mertha, Andrew C. China's water warriors: citizen action and policy change. Cornell University
Press, 2014.
Online
Trump’s Grand Strategy, 2018.[Online].Available
Through<https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/trump-grand-strategy-china-
us-decline-by-brahma-chellaney-2018-07?barrier=accesspaylog>
Trump and the Future of US Grand Strategy, 2017 [Online]. Available Through:
<http://www.css.ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/special-interest/gess/cis/center-for-securities-
studies/pdfs/CSSAnalyse212-EN.pdf>.
Understanding U.S. Grand Strategy, 2018 [Online]. Available Through:<
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0030438715000277>.
Donald Trump’s grand strategy, 2018 [Online]. Available
Through:<https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/UmuNi4gy1fJEkjjOv9Y2QP/Donald-
Trumps-grand-strategy.html>.
NAFTA’s Economic Impact, 2018 [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/naftas-economic-impact>.