Donald Trump is “largely about … being a showman”, an international relations expert says.
Photo: ALON SKUY / AFP
The world watches with bated breath as an international relations scholar underscores the potentially profound ramifications tethered to the outcome of the impending U.S. presidential election. Dr. Maria Armoudian, a senior lecturer at Auckland University, draws attention to an imminent “stark difference” in climate strategies and security policies should former President Donald Trump consolidate his power once more.
Armoudian posits that regardless of which candidate emerges victorious, whether the Democratic vice-president Kamala Harris or Trump, New Zealand’s trade and tourism might bear little change. However, she cautions that a Trump administration would shroud international relations in uncertainty.
If Harris prevails, we might anticipate a steadfast adherence to established norms surrounding democracy, human rights, and environmental safeguarding—an administration grounded in empirical and science-based decision-making.
Yet, when it comes to Trump, uncertainty reigns supreme. Armoudian, who co-leads the Centre for Climate, Biodiversity, and Society—Ngā Ara Whetū—unveils the volatility of Trump’s policy proclivities.
“He dances to a different tune, one devoid of the same value systems or reliance on solid, scientific data,” she remarks. “His previous stances on critical issues like climate change have showcased a disconcerting disregard for scientific consensus – an affinity for authoritarianism, and a bewildering tolerance towards dictators.”
In her analysis, Armoudian contemplates the potential shifts in prevailing international alliances, speculating that they could be reconfigured unless Trump can be swayed otherwise—a feat she acknowledges as feasible.
“Above all, the key takeaway with a Trump presidency is the unpredictability; it’s a constant riddle,” she adds, encapsulating the essence of his leadership style.
“Donald Trump thrives on theatrics—his self-crafted persona often eclipses pragmatic decision-making that could safeguard future generations.”
