America First Agenda Takes On Authoritarian Tone – OpEd

As Donald Trump embarks on his second term in 2025, the United States faces an evolving political and economic landscape that reflects his “America First” agenda. Rooted in a vision of economic nationalism, strict immigration policies, and a rejection of global entanglements, Trump’s second term promises a continuation of the policies that characterized his first administration. These policies have increasingly tilted the U.S. toward a more authoritarian form of governance, while reshaping both domestic priorities and international relations. The core of Trump’s agenda lies in prioritizing American interests, whether in trade, defense, or foreign diplomacy, often at the expense of longstanding democratic norms and global cooperation.

At the heart of Trump’s America First agenda is a commitment to revitalizing the U.S. economy through tax cuts and deregulation. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was a cornerstone of his domestic policy, slashing corporate tax rates and offering tax reductions for individuals. The primary aim was to stimulate domestic businesses, encourage investment, and create jobs on American soil. While the tax cuts faced criticism for disproportionately benefiting the wealthy, they were lauded by supporters as a necessary step to bolster U.S. competitiveness and reduce corporate reliance on foreign labor.

Alongside these tax cuts, Trump’s administration aggressively pursued deregulation. Major environmental and financial regulations were rolled back, including key protections under the Clean Water Rule and restrictions on fossil fuel industries. These moves were aimed at removing government barriers that Trump believed stifled American business growth and innovation. Deregulation, however, also weakened safeguards, particularly in areas concerning public health and the environment, sparking debates over the long-term consequences of such an approach.

A central pillar of Trump’s America First vision was the reassertion of American power in global trade. Trump consistently pushed for a more protectionist stance, aiming to reduce trade imbalances and prioritize U.S. industries. His renegotiation of NAFTA, resulting in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), was one of his signature achievements. The new agreement was designed to protect American manufacturing jobs and ensure fairer terms for U.S. workers, particularly in the automotive and dairy sectors.

Moreover, Trump’s imposition of tariffs on China and other trading partners, while criticized by some economists, was seen as an effort to curtail what he perceived as unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. These tariffs aimed to restore U.S. manufacturing power, curb the outsourcing of jobs, and shift global supply chains back to America.

A central issue of Trump’s America First policies was immigration. Trump advocated for strict immigration controls, framing it as a necessary measure to protect American jobs and national security. His administration’s border security policies, including the controversial plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, sought to limit illegal immigration and curb the flow of undocumented workers entering the U.S. Trump’s stance on immigration went hand-in-hand with his broader concerns over job loss due to foreign labor. He argued that stricter immigration controls would ensure that American workers had priority access to employment opportunities, especially in industries like construction and manufacturing. While his policies faced widespread criticism, they resonated with large portions of the American electorate who were concerned about the economic and cultural impact of immigration.

In line with his America First ethos, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017, arguing that the deal unfairly disadvantaged American workers and industries. Trump framed the agreement as a global initiative that would result in job losses and harm to the U.S. economy, particularly in the coal, oil, and natural gas sectors. His decision to pull out of the Paris accord represented his broader skepticism of international environmental agreements, which he saw as infringing on U.S. sovereignty.

Trump’s environmental policies also emphasized domestic energy production, with a focus on expanding fossil fuel extraction and reducing restrictions on drilling. This approach reflected a commitment to American energy independence, even if it meant rolling back environmental protections and facing criticism from climate advocates.

Trump’s foreign policy was fundamentally driven by an America First ideology, which sought to minimize American involvement in foreign conflicts and focus on transactional diplomacy. He believed that U.S. alliances and international agreements should always prioritize American interests. This was evident in his handling of NATO, where he repeatedly pressed NATO members to increase their defense spending, arguing that the U.S. should not bear the financial burden of defending Europe.

In the Middle East, Trump adopted a policy that emphasized American interests, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and withdrawing from the Iran Nuclear Deal. He justified these actions by prioritizing U.S. national security and economic interests over international consensus. Additionally, Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations, which was seen as a significant achievement in his approach to the region.

Trump’s foreign policy also included an America-first stance on trade, as exemplified by his withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and his criticism of long-standing multilateral trade agreements. Trump framed these decisions as necessary to protect American industries from unfair competition and job loss due to globalization.

Trump’s military and defense policies were also rooted in the America First agenda, with a focus on strengthening U.S. defense capabilities and ensuring that military commitments aligned with American interests. He authorized significant increases in military spending, aiming to modernize and enhance the U.S. military. While Trump’s approach to defense was largely focused on deterrence, it also reflected his skepticism toward foreign entanglements and peacekeeping operations that did not directly benefit the U.S.

Moreover, Trump’s skepticism toward NATO and other defense alliances, along with his focus on military preparedness, pointed to a broader shift away from multilateral defense agreements and toward a more isolated, self-reliant security strategy.

Pressure on NATO Allies (2017-2019)

Throughout his first term, Trump took a more confrontational and authoritative stance with NATO allies, particularly European nations, pressuring them to fulfill the alliance’s defense spending commitments. He repeatedly demanded that NATO members allocate 2% of their GDP toward defense, positioning himself as the enforcer of American priorities within the alliance. Trump’s hardline approach to NATO signaled a departure from traditional diplomatic norms and underscored his broader vision of reasserting U.S. power while diminishing the influence of multilateral institutions. His demands often led to tensions with European partners, but they reinforced his image as a president who was unwilling to compromise on what he perceived as the U.S. bearing an unfair burden in international defense obligations.

The Authoritarian Shift: America’s Democratic Backslide

As Trump begins his second term, his America First agenda takes on an increasingly authoritarian tone. His disregard for democratic norms, particularly in his challenges to the electoral system and his consolidation of executive power, signals a shift away from traditional democratic governance. His administration has consistently sought to bypass institutional checks, centralize power, and prioritize loyalty over impartiality in the judiciary and law enforcement.

The erosion of democratic norms and the focus on consolidating power within the executive branch mark a significant departure from the U.S.’s long-standing commitment to democracy. As Trump continues to push for policies that centralize authority and diminish checks on presidential power, the vision of a democratic America increasingly gives way to an authoritarian regime driven by Trump’s America First agenda.

As Trump enters his second term, his America First agenda has redefined U.S. domestic and foreign policy. From economic nationalism to isolationist foreign policies and authoritarian domestic governance, Trump’s vision is one that places American interests above all else—often at the expense of democratic values and international cooperation. The consequences of these policies, particularly in the context of an increasingly fractured global order, remain uncertain. However, one thing is clear: Trump’s vision for America in the 21st century is one that is firmly focused on national sovereignty, economic power, and a retreat from the liberal international order.