Eddie Cross
Surely, every large institution requires an overhaul and assessment periodically, and I'm certain the Federal Administration was overdue for such scrutiny.
However, there were minimal signs of the tariff campaign that was forming in the President’s thoughts. Without delay, within weeks, the globe faced an onslaught of fresh and proposed tariffs on trade, which disrupted global trade stability, dismantled the World Trade Organization’s system for managing trade and ensuring market accessibility.
We should not overlook the significance of his actions for those of us observing this game from the fringes. Following World War II, the United States rose to become the unchallenged head of the Free World and constructed the biggest national economy in history. In this capacity, it aided in reconstructing the economies of Germany and Japan and supported overall recovery in Europe through the Marshall Plan. The U.S. offered unparalleled leadership and set an exemplary standard globally.
Advancing the process further, the United States played a pivotal role in founding the United Nations and facilitating negotiations for the establishment of international financial systems aimed at stabilizing and bolstering the worldwide economy. This led to the inception of organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and later the World Trade Organization. Headquartered in cities like New York and Washington, D.C., these initiatives laid down frameworks that have evolved into today’s interconnected network of countries dedicated to upholding a rules-based global order, ensuring fair competition among all nations involved.
Over the past 75 years, remarkable transformations have occurred. Global commerce has expanded swiftly, distributing resources and chances worldwide. This progress has helped lift billions from poverty, sustained peace in Europe up till recent times, resolved many ideological disputes, and established democratic and free-market ideals across nearly every nation. Throughout these developments, the United States served as the driving force, offering both material support and intellectual guidance.
In just a few weeks, Trump has tried to dismantle the entire system based on the mistaken idea that protectionism and isolation will lead the way forward. His aim is to increase America’s wealth further and withdraw into an economic and political shell.
Following Nixon and Deng Xiaoping’s efforts to reintegrate China into the global community post-1975, the United States fostered China’s growth as its strongest rival by granting it entry into American markets and technological resources. Having devastated Vietnam and Cambodia along with several smaller ASEAN nations, the U.S. then rebuilt these regions, significantly boosting employment. Countries such as Bangladesh and Lesotho, which were once among the least developed, became key players in international trade due to these changes, thereby improving overall quality of life for many residents.
In the United States once again, both Trump and those who follow him fail to grasp that tariffs serve not just as a tool for trade warfare, but also impose an additional cost on all Americans. Given that prior to this deadlock U.S. taxes typically stood at around 2.5 percent, such tariffs have the potential to push the U.S. economy toward a downturn following many years of robust expansion. The notion that this approach can resurrect the traditional economic model which established America’s dominance globally is entirely misguided. On the contrary, the U.S. economy continues to lead worldwide with respect to productivity and growth, generating more than 250,000 fresh job opportunities each month! This success stems from Americans adapting to the modernized economy centered on technological advancements rather than relying solely on industries like iron ore mining and petroleum extraction. Choosing isolationism would inevitably result in reduced rates of economic progress—or even stagnation—and consequently diminish income levels while simultaneously inflating expenses.
Yet, where is the America that once was known to me—a profoundly Christian land whose agriculture sustained global populations? An altruistic nation unafraid to step up during genuine crises. In 2007 and 2008 right here in Zimbabwe, we found ourselves as an utterly failed state. Schools shut down, hospitals overwhelmed with deceased patients; cholera struck over 150,000 people within our capital alone. Shops lacked basic provisions, homes had no running water, gas stations ran dry. Half a million individuals fled annually due to dire economic conditions. At this time, ours became one of the most dangerous places globally for young children and expectant mothers.
Suddenly realizing the magnitude of the issues and how they affected both their society and economy, the South Africans intervened and started compelling the dominant political class to implement reforms. This led first to a fairly open election in 2008, which saw the MDC winning decisively. Following this, pressure mounted as ZANU attempted to annul the outcome, ultimately resulting in the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU). Concurrently, USAID took action—without being officially asked—and arranged food provisions for much of the populace. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of tons of food assistance were dispatched to Southern Africa’s harbors before being transported to Zimbabwe, providing sustenance to more than seventy-five percent of the country’s inhabitants.
The sole factor enabling our survival and maintaining stability came as the President of South Africa addressed our political issues. In 2009, when a Government of National Unity took office, Western nations—led significantly by the United States—took collective action under an informal coalition dubbed "the Fishmongers," named for their initial gathering spot at a local eatery. Through this alliance, substantial support amounting to more than $4 billion was provided to assist our recovery. By 2013, we had regained enough self-sufficiency so that both American assistance along with contributions from international organizations like the World Bank receded into less prominent roles.
What stood out regarding this aid was the remarkable lack of emphasis on acknowledgment or gratitude from those receiving help. Assistance arrived with absolutely no strings attached and required nothing in return. The primary initiative by USAID received additional support through Christian organizations based in the U.S. and Canada, providing not only food but also various types of aid. Another significant demonstration of American benevolence occurred under President George W. Bush’s leadership as AIDS spread globally; he approved funding for costly HIV/AIDS treatment programs. In Zimbabwe alone, there were approximately 1.5 million individuals living with HIV at the time. Many lives have been saved since then due to these treatments being provided free of charge.
Russia and other communist nations like China, Cuba, and North Korea did not participate in these humanitarian initiatives led by the USA and Europe. In virtually every global crisis, a recurring element has been food stamped with labels from the World Food Program or USAID, most of which was financed by the U.S. government. However, this support now faces jeopardy due to a U.S. administration prioritizing "America First."
The sad reality is that few acknowledge how, being the leading economic power globally, the U.S. could leverage its influence to liberalize its markets towards goods from abroad that can be manufactured more cheaply elsewhere. Free trade and market-based policies haven’t just rescued countless people from extreme poverty; they’ve also bolstered America’s own economy in myriad ways. The dominance of the U.S. dollar worldwide isn’t mere happenstance—it stands strong partly due to the country’s pivotal role as both a foundation stone and steadfast ally within the global financial system.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).