Former President Donald Trump has made headlines recently with a series of statements and actions addressing environmental policies, foreign aid, trade relations, and conflict discussions. From eco-friendly initiatives promoted by his predecessor to tariffs on international goods, Trump’s declarations reveal his firm stance on returning to more traditional policies.
On one front, Trump expressed his disdain for eco-friendly paper straws, which have gained traction as alternatives to plastic amid growing environmental consciousness. "I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don't work. BACK TO PLASTIC!" he stated on social media. His criticism reflects the wider Republican opposition to certain environmental policies initiated under Democratic leadership. President Joe Biden had earlier announced plans to phase out single-use plastic utensils, including straws, across government departments by 2035.
During his presidency, Trump has repeatedly voiced frustrations over the inefficacy of paper straws, colloquially remarking, "They want to ban straws. Has anyone tried those paper straws? They don't work too good." This resounding sentiment is complemented by his campaign's merchandise, which boasted plastic straws emblazoned with the slogan, "Liberal paper straws don't work."
Turning to foreign policy, Trump took decisive action by freezing U.S. aid to South Africa, citing concerns over law changes enabling the government to seize land from white farmers without compensation. This controversial move spurred tensions between the U.S. and South Africa. "The law would enable the government of South Africa to seize ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property without compensation," Trump said, leading to serious diplomatic pushback from Johannesburg, which characterized his claims as misinformation.
The issue of land ownership remains incredibly sensitive within South Africa, where land still primarily rests with white farmers, decades after the fall of apartheid. Trump's commentary included support for the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees facing government-sponsored discrimination. This aligns with his administration’s priority of addressing racial equity—albeit from controversial angles. His ally, Elon Musk, shared similar sentiments about the racial policies of the South African government, calling out perceived racism within the ownership laws.
Meanwhile, Sarah Sanders, the U.S. Secretary of State, recently indicated she would skip upcoming G20 talks held in South Africa, labeling the host government as pursuing "an anti-American agenda." This showcases the widening gap between the U.S. and South African relations under Trump's direction.
On another key issue, Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to discuss bilateral trade relations and expressed concerns over the trade deficit. During their meeting, Trump voiced readiness to impose tariffs on Japanese goods if the trade gap remains unchanged. "I want equality" between the U.S. and Japan, he demanded during their Oval Office session. He acknowledged potential tariffs, responding affirmatively when asked if such measures could follow if no progress is made.
Undoubtedly, Japan is seen as a significant partner for the U.S., especially amid rising tensions with China and the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. Ishiba's visit—his second as prime minister—was seen as pivotal for maintaining U.S.-Japan ties, and he vowed to increase Japanese investments within the U.S., promising to step up defense purchases to align with Trump’s "America First" policies.
Trump's approach to international issues extends to his engagements with Ukraine as well. Following his remarks at the welcoming event for Ishiba, he indicated intentions to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss Ukraine’s conflict with Russian forces. "I'd like to see it end, just on a human basis. It’s a ridiculous war," Trump commented about the actions of the Russian military. He hinted the meeting may not be direct, but still intends to discuss security concerns surrounding Ukrainian assets.
Zelenskiy's office is reportedly enthusiastic about the planned engagement with Trump as they seek continuous U.S. support amid the armed conflict. There’s talk of Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine coming this month to touch base on how to bolster Ukrainian defenses against Russian advances.
While spanning diverse topics of controversy and debate, these latest actions and statements from Trump evoke both support and criticism within and beyond the United States. His approach to environmental policies, trade, foreign aid, and international relations continues to fulfill the administration's policies defined during his presidency. The coming weeks will likely reveal more about how these decisions play out globally and domestically as political landscapes shift and realign.