Ever since World War II ended, the West has been seen as protectors of human rights and freedom. Specifically, the United States President has been seen as the leader of the free world. This attribution came from the fact that the Western allies were able to resolve the spread of Communism and Fascism, and as a result, the world was at peace. Since this period, the United States has become obsessed with this idea of saving people from deplorable situations. During the Cold War, many people fled the Soviets and took refuge in the United States. After the fall of Soviet Russia, the United States led international actions to protect victims of repression or hardship. Whether it was the Kurds in northern Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, or spending on medicine to treat millions suffering from HIV in Africa, the United States was the country expected to act.
In January, all of this changed. “America First” is now the new policy of the US, and this means that our leadership position in the world is being transitioned to another Western power: Germany.
Last week Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, met with Trump in their first face-to-face meeting. The meeting was uncomfortable, awkward, and cold. Photographers asked them to shake hands, and Merkel asked Trump if he wanted to have a handshake. Trump maintained a contained, defensive pose with his legs open and his hands firmly together. I would argue that this pose represents Trump's new international outlook on relations. Trump has taken a masculine, isolationist approach to these relationships. He was recently quoted saying that he will treat Merkel on the same level as Putin. In other words, Professor Anthony Glees, an expert in German politics at the Univerisy of Buckingham, said, “So far Frau Merkel’s attitude towards Trump has been seen as passive-aggressive, Trump’s attitude towards Merkel as active aggressive.”
Merkel has been pushing Trump’s buttons since he was elected, specifically in terms of immigration. Germany has become the global leader in terms of accepting new refugees and has accepted millions over the past few years. Meanwhile, in the United States, Trump has passed two nearly identical travel bans, both of which have been blocked by state courts. The meeting that happened last week between the leaders of the free world has shown us that the United States is no longer in a position to aid those in precarious situations. The United States is now the champion of apathetic isolationism, which has no place in 2017. Going backwards in time is not physically possible, and there is a reason why our world looks the way it does today. Rolling back progressive policies, as Trump has been doing, only weakens our ability to maintain global leadership and legitimacy. International polls also suggest that most people overseas do not see the United States as the leader of the free world. Angela Merkel has been dubbed the new leader of the West and champion of human rights.
