President Trump

SouthViews No. 166, 16 March 2018

Trump’s launch of a global trade war

By Martin Khor

Last week’s action by President Donald Trump has ended the United States’ leadership on liberal trade and may trigger a global trade war with major damaging consequences. On 8 March, Trump signed a proclamation to raise tariffs of steel by 25% and aluminium by 10%. It sent shockwaves across the world not only because of the losses to metal exporters, but due to what it could well signify: the start of a global trade war causing economic disruption in many countries, and that may also damage if not destroy the multilateral trade system. (more…)

SouthViews No. 159, 3 January 2018

Critical issues to watch in 2018

By Martin Khor

There are several key social and environmental issues to watch out for in 2018 as they are close to reaching a tipping point, says this preview of the new year by the South Centre’s Executive Director Martin Khor. (more…)

SouthViews No. 158, 28 December 2017

Goodbye to 2017, a Trump-dominated year

By Martin Khor

In 2017, Donald Trump dominated the year by using US clout to change many aspects of global relations, and not for the better. (more…)

SouthViews No. 150, 6 June 2017

US pull-out from Paris deal: What it means

By Martin Khor

By withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, President Donald Trump abdicated not only leadership but membership of the community of nations cooperating to tackle climate change, the most serious crisis facing humanity. (more…)

SouthViews No. 148, 25 April 2017

Trump’s first 100 days: a serious cause for concern

By Martin Khor

This week, Donald Trump will mark his first hundred days as US President. It’s time to assess his impact on the world, especially the developing countries. It’s too early to form firm conclusions. But much of what we have seen so far is of serious concern. (more…)

SouthViews No. 144, 20 February 2017

The planned US border tax would most likely violate WTO rules

By Martin Khor

As the US Congress and President consider whether to introduce a border adjustment tax, a major question is whether such a measure will violate the rules of the World Trade Organization. Experts have good reason to believe the tax in several ways go counter to the WTO. But there are also shortcomings in the WTO system that could limit its usefulness in stopping the US if it is determined enough. A shorter version of this article was published by the IPS. This is the second of a two part series on the US border tax plan. (more…)

SouthViews No. 143, 17 February 2017

Beware of the new US protectionist plan, the border adjustment tax

By Martin Khor

A new protectionist device is being planned in the United States that could devastate the exports of developing countries and cause American and other foreign companies to relocate. The complexities and implications of the proposed border adjustment tax are explained in this article. A version of this article was published by IPS. A second article on this issue will be published soon. (more…)

SouthViews No. 142, 30 January 2017

Shocks for developing countries from President Trump’s first days

By Martin Khor

His first days in office indicate that President Donald Trump intends to implement what he promised, with serious consequences for the future of the United Nations, trade, the environment and international cooperation, and developing countries will be most affected. Those who hoped Trump would be more statesman-like in style and middle-of-the-road in policy matters after his inauguration had their illusions dashed when the new United States President moved straight into action to fulfil his election pledges. (more…)

SouthViews No. 140, 3 January 2017

2017 — a thunderous clash of politics, economies and policies

By Martin Khor

Yet another new year has dawned. But 2017 will be a year like no other. There will be a thunderous clash of policies, economies and politics worldwide. We will therefore be on a roller-coaster ride, and we should prepare for it and not only be spectators on the side-lines in danger of being swept away by the waves. (more…)

SouthViews No. 139, 6 December 2016

Rethinking trade policy and protectionism in the Trump era

By Martin Khor

What kind of trade policy will the United States have under President Donald Trump? This is a hot issue, as Trump has made unorthodox pronouncements on trade issues during and after the election campaign. If he acts on even some of the positions he took, it will create a sea change in trade policy in the US and possibly the world. Trump has recently emphasised that he will take the US out of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on his first day of office, and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (more…)

SouthViews No. 136, 25 November 2016

Initial Global Effects of Trump Even Before Taking Office

By Martin Khor

Even before taking office, President-Elect Donald Trump and the policies he promised during his campaign are already having a worldwide impact in at least three areas — global finance, trade and climate change. If his election is described as an earthquake, the aftershocks are now being felt. Global funds are starting to move out of many developing countries, reducing the value of their currencies and causing great economic uncertainty. (more…)

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