Trump danger over
Never before in the history of the United States has a president had so many division among the population sowed like Donald Trump. Besides numerous controversial decisions he made, he kept quite aloof during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations, for instance, which were harshly crushed. He also cancelled several climate and trade treaties, recognised far too late the seriousness of the COVID19 virus, and his relationship with the press got worse by the week. And I could go on and on.
During the Trump period, it became increasingly clear to me how dangerous it may be if someone who has such a polarisation can bring about - in American society, but also globally - is ultimately responsible for a powerful country like the United States. This is anything but a groundbreaking insight of mine, by the way, because certainly at the end of his tenure, everyone could clearly see that. Thousands of people were incited by Trump to use violence and storm the US Congress. They are images I will not soon - or perhaps never - forget.
I realise it is difficult to look at Trump objectively after the past few months. But I'm going to say it anyway: we should not forget that he did deliver on a number of promises to his voters over the past four years. He has created more jobs and improved domestic infrastructure. He has economic growth brought about and has Unfair competition from China tackled (rightly so, in my view). Partly because of this, Trump got a record number of voters behind him in the last election.
More nuance with Biden
But it was not enough, because most of America was ready for change. And with them much of the world. Many countries see Joe Biden's arrival as a welcome improvement. He is going to be a more moderate policies conduct and is undoubtedly going to re-establish international ties. Not surprisingly, one of the first decrees he signed on his first day in the Oval Office was one ordering the re-entry of the United States into the Paris climate agreement.
Equally important: Biden will Taking a more nuanced approach to international trade agreements. Let's hope that this will boost trade between the United States and the Netherlands and the rest of Europe again. With Brexit a fact and trade with the UK taking a nosedive, it would be nice if other markets offer growth opportunities again. Without too many trade restrictions, there lie across the Atlantic great opportunities for Dutch companies.
An important condition, however, is that Biden will master the major domestic challenges. For: how will he get such a hugely divided country united? How will he effectively fight the corona pandemic in this hardest hit country in the world? And how will he get the economy back on track once the pandemic is over. It is immediately a tough job for the 78-year-old president. Let's hope he doesn't need all his time and energy for that and can also look beyond the borders of his 50. Either way, I dare to conclude at this point: With Biden, things will only get better.
Paul van Uden
Managing director Xolv
