Trump: The First to Promote the “East Rising, West Falling” Trend
[This article originally appeared on China’s largest political website, Guancha.cn, authored by Tian Feilong, translated by AI]
Trump represents an exception to the norms for a U.S. President, the “rules-based international order,” and the Western liberal alliance system. Trump’s political ideology is rooted in American conservatism, reflecting the historical and value characteristics of the United States, its indigenous culture, and political traditions. It also embodies America’s prioritization and dominance over everything “non-American.”
Trumpism is a form of “atavism” in American culture and politics, symbolizing a spiritual return to the “anti-federalist” tradition ingrained in America’s founding spirit. It involves a moral deconstruction of the American global imperial norm system and a reconstruction of the logic behind hegemonic actions. Trump’s “art of the deal” replaces the “normative acquisition” of a global empire with the “capricious force” of a traditional empire.
This represents a certain sense of the “primordial America,” which diverges from the “normative America” commonly understood today. Such an America is far from beautiful, presenting itself instead as a “fierce tiger” in the jungle of international politics. The initial manifestation of this “fierce tiger” image in the Trump 2.0 version is evident. Logically, Trumpism necessitates a distinction between domestic and international politics, where domestic political justice coexists with international political injustice, reflecting the multifaceted complexity of Trumpism.
On the domestic political front, Trump implements a series of reforms focused on serving “America First” and cleansing the legacy of Democratic Party governments. The “Department of Government Efficiency,” led by Musk, acts as the primary enforcement agency, conducting sweeping political purges and institutional streamlining to establish a government team and execution system highly loyal to Trump. These reform measures are legitimate and justifiable within the realm of American democratic politics and public opinion but conflict with the U.S. Constitution and specific legal frameworks, leading to inevitable judicial disputes.
However, Trump’s early “packaging” of the Federal Supreme Court might support some of these reform measures. This layer of reform shares similarities and synergies with the Mileism of South America’s Argentina, embodying the policy transformation of Western classical liberal economic thought and political philosophy. It bears right-wing conservative hues, aligning with Hayek’s ideological path.
In the realm of international politics, Trump exhibits a series of unjust maneuvers with significant and profound impacts, mainly including:
First, territorial expansionism, chiefly involving claims over sovereignty and direct control of Greenland, Canada, the Panama Canal, and the Gaza Strip. These claims are entirely inconsistent with the basic principles of international law upheld by the UN Charter and Western nations, reflecting Trump’s contempt for and deviation from international law as well as his imitation of America’s early “westward movement” and the logical return to traditional imperialistic spheres of influence
Second，New Monroe Doctrine is primarily reflected in the tariff wars with Canada and Mexico, as well as widespread interventions in Latin American affairs. Its main objective is to eliminate the so-called “Chinese threat” and Chinese influence. Recently, Rubio’s shuttle diplomacy in Latin America to force Panama to withdraw from the “Belt and Road Initiative” and call for Latin American countries to unite against the so-called “Chinese Communist Party” infiltration influence is a return to traditional Monroe Doctrine, which absolutely refuses non-American countries’ intervention in American affairs. The New Monroe Doctrine treats America as the U.S.’s backyard, which does not conform to the realities of globalization and the community of a shared future for mankind, nor the basic norms of international law.
Third，Appeasementism in the Russo-Ukrainian War refers mainly to Trump’s position and strategy, which differ from Biden’s approach, attempting to influence multiple aspects to “end” the war. While this seems to contribute to European peace, what about the costs already borne by NATO, the EU, and Ukraine, and the price of reconciliation? Is Trump’s peace plan a stable solution for a sustainable European security framework? Would concessions to Russia structurally undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity? Would the EU pay for Trump’s plan? These questions harbor enormous uncertainties, and could even leave potential future conflict risks. It’s unclear whether “Donbas Compromise” would serve as Trump’s stepping stone for the Nobel Peace Prize or become a new spark for future European conflicts.
Forth，Imperial Colonialism in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is primarily reflected in Trump one-sidedly standing with Israel’s Netanyahu. His proposed plan to “evacuate and take over” Gaza is an imperial colonial act that tramples on the principles of international law and UN resolutions. His plan to forcibly clear and resettle Gaza residents is suspected of “genocide” and is opposed and condemned by the UN and a vast majority of the international community members, including overwhelming opposition from his Western allies. Trump’s “strength arbitrariness” in diplomacy excessively deviates from international law and diplomatic professionalism, making it not only a joke but also unfeasible. On February 4, 2025, during a joint press conference at the White House East Room in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the U.S. would take over the Gaza Strip, according to Reuters.
Fifth，Adventurism in Trade War with China, particularly the tariff battles, was seen right after Trump took office when he swiftly announced a 10% tariff increase on China, keeping the possibility of further hikes, infringing on China’s legitimate trade rights and development interests to impose pressure as a form of coercion for subsequent diplomatic visits. However, China today is neither Japan of the 1985 Plaza Accord, nor the Soviet Union of 1991, nor easy neighbors like Canada or Mexico, but a world power firmly standing by national systems and international law. Hence, China has quickly undertaken comprehensive countermeasures, resolutely countering Trump’s bully tactics to protect its legitimate rights and international law principles.
Sixth, the overall trend of trade protectionism, trade bullying, economic nationalism, and widespread extortion measures against allies has undermined the fundamental principles of globalization and the integrity of industrial supply chains. This places America’s narrow national interests above international law and the shared interests of globalization, tearing apart the basic rules of globalization as well as the Western alliance system, leading to a confrontation between the U.S., the world, and human society. Trumpism is not a refined, regulated, nimble, or civilized political philosophy, but rather a critique of “global America” from the perspective of “native America” and a return to traditional values.
On February 5, 2025, people participated in the “50501” movement against the “2025 Plan” and Donald Trump’s executive orders at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota. According to Reuters, “50501” stands for “One Day, 50 States, 50 Protests”.
Trump’s significance is profound, although not grand. Objectively, he could be considered the first promoter of the “rising East and declining West” in world history. His trade ethics, injustice, and specific obstinate understanding and practice of American imperialism and the shared future of mankind have objectively opened up a vast space for humans to explore non-Western modernization, globalization paths, and new forms of civilization. Trump’s world historical significance should not be underestimated. Meanwhile, Chinese modernization, the great revitalization of the Chinese nation, the construction of the Chinese national community, and the building of a shared future for humanity will hence be more highlighted for their civilization, moral, fairness, and universal significance and have a steady and bright practical prospect.
Editor: Zhongxiaowen
