Royal Institute of International Affairs Advisor: Trump will make radical change to US policy

Saad Djabar, an advisor at the London-based Royal Institute of International Affairs told Echorouk in an interview that the US will made radical changes to its foreign policy in a way that it has never been made since the Second World War.

Do you believe that the US-newly elected president Donald Trump would made the changes he talked about during his electoral campaign?

Trump is the only American president which faced opposition from his own party. He run for office although Republicans were against that. That means he did not respect all the traditional policies related to electoral campaigns. His political discourse was popular and he told voters things they wanted to hear. He used an unsual accent. American politicians believe that he run in an abnormal way and won in an abnormal way as well. Realistically speaking, he will change the US policy in a way that American has not seen since the Second World War. He will review the NATO and the US financial support. Expenses will be shared. Japan and Korea do not pay contributions to the NATO. Foreign aid issue will also be revised along with free trade and opening borders. He will examine the possibility of imposing taxes on Chinese products.

Trup challenged the international trade system even the World Trade Organization (WTO). He warned of withdrawing from it. He will focus on infrastructures. He had talked about Qatar’s train three times during his electoral campaign. He said nations in the Third World have better airports compared to the American airports. He has a realistic vision about his country. He believes that America is vulnerable and its economy has collapsed. He wants to build economy and protect manpower. He may impose taxes on Chinese imported products by 45 percent and revise the North Americans free trade agreement.

Concerning crises in the Middle East, is it possible that the US administration would give up on the nuclear deal with Iran?

Generally, Republicans were not satisfied about the deal. Trump said he dies not admit it. Yet, relations with Iran will remain sensitive for many considerations. Saudi Arabia would not accept to allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. Trump will be strict with Iran. 

Between reality and application, there is a difference. He will carry out some actions such as building America’s trade and industry. He will give hope to working class. He will conduct exceptional actions in terms of the foreign policy. 

Trump declared hostility to Muslims. Will this be applied on the so-called political Islam in Arab nations?

The problem is in the US foreign policy. The Egypt issue is controlled by the Pentagon due to relations with Israel. All it seems that issues are managed by the foreign state department. In certain cases like Egypt and Iraq to some extent, the defence state department is in charge. America can not ignore that Islamic trends have partisans in the street.