Aggressive, Coercive, Hegemonic: this Return of the Unpleasant U.S. Image

For decades, successive administrations has attempted to clear the US of its reputation as a bullying, expansionist nation. Yet with his boastful, often harsh actions toward other countries, Donald Trump has swiftly resurrected that concept. Under Trump, the unpleasant American image is resurgent.

Forceful Use of Power

He achieved this by employing U.S. authority in assertive and arrogant ways – by criticizing other countries’ policies and then warning to penalize them if they fail to submit to his requirements. He is engaging in exactly what worldwide legal standards says government officials shouldn’t be doing. Time and again inserted himself into sovereign states' business, pressuring their representatives, berating their approaches and disrespecting their sovereignty. Too often, he regards international partners as subordinates of the America (and of his self-image).

Origins of the "Unpleasant Image"

The term “the Ugly American” was brought to prominence by a book from 1958 with that title; it depicted the tactlessness and ineptness of American envoys who often couldn't communicate in the language where they were stationed and infrequently spoke to the residents there. With time, this expression was more commonly applied to portray tactless and overbearing US tourists and tactless and presumptuous U.S. strategies toward international partners.

International Interventions

His conduct reflects like an unpleasant image in many ways. He involved himself in Brazilian national issues by all but ordering it to drop the prosecution of its rightwing former president (and Trump buddy) the Brazilian ex-president for plotting to orchestrate a takeover to resume leadership. After Brazil refused the charges – the ex-president was convicted and sentenced to over two decades in prison – Trump imposed a significant import tax on products from Brazil.

In the past few weeks, he has acted as the Ugly, even Crazed, U.S. representative toward America's neighbor when he expressed fury after viewing a commercial, supported by the region of the regional government, that featured excerpts of a the ex-leader oration opposing import taxes. In retaliation, he enacted an additional 10% tariff on products from Canada. That move increased the displeasure of Canadian citizens who were previously upset about the unrealistic concept to turn Canada into the additional U.S. state.

Furthermore, he has tried to pressure Colombia. He stated the America would end support to that country after its president, the Colombian president, objected that the US had struck a Colombian fishing boat and resulted in a casualty as part of his initiative of targeting vessels allegedly transporting drugs. Employing unpleasant, tactless language, Trump called the nation's leader an “illegal drug leader”.

Defense Warnings

Simultaneously come Trump’s on-again, off-again warnings to launch military strikes against the Latin American nation. This evokes memories of America's openly expansionist interventions in, including, the Southeast Asian nation, the small nation and the Persian Gulf country, with the government overthrow in 1953 removing a socialist prime minster. The head of state, the Venezuelan leader, is dishonest, repressive and authoritarian, and rigged a vote, but defense action would be a regression to the worst days of Ugly Americanism.

European Bloc Matters

Trump has also interfered in the EU's matters. In an era when social media is saturated with numerous untruths that it makes it hard for representative systems to operate, even survive, the European Union has justifiably required online networks to remove falsehoods and other false narratives. Yet Trump has lambasted the European digital regulations, asserting that it unfairly targets U.S. digital corporations. The White House has upset the EU by threatening to enact additional duties and constrain the entry permits of selected EU personnel.

Trump’s Ugly American policies have done serious injury to America's reputation internationally

Political Intervention

He has inappropriately involved himself in the political landscape of Argentina by saying he would grant a $40bn bailout, but may retract that money if the political group of the nation's head of state, the national leader, didn’t win parliamentary votes. “In case of his loss, we are will not be supportive with Argentina,” he stated. The political group won, amid interfering Trump taking some credit, saying: “He received considerable help from the United States.”

The second-in-command, the vice-president, involved himself in German politics by attacking established political groups for establishing a “firewall” against permitting extreme conservative groups such as the AfD into a governing coalition. In a speech recently to the nation's legislative body, Trump interfered in the nation's governmental matters in an unprecedented way, encouraging Israel’s president to pardon the government leader, the prime minister, on the ethical violations he’s facing.

United Nations Speech

In Trump’s hour-long tirade to the UN general assembly in last fall, he tried to play Boss of the World. He directed the UN’s 193 member nations to jettison their climate change policies, stating apprehensions about environmental shifts are {“the greatest con job

Steven Marquez
Steven Marquez

Former casino manager turned gaming analyst, specializing in slot machine mechanics and responsible gambling practices.