In an interview with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations website about Donald Trump’s foreign policy approach to issues such as Ukraine, China, cooperation with Europe, and the Gaza war, Amir Ali Abolfatah stated: China’s main threat to the conservatives and the Trump administration. China is the only country that has both the ability and the will to confront America, while from the Democrats’ point of view, Russia is considered the main danger to America.

He noted that China is still the main threat in the new term of Donald Trump’s presidency. Conservatives believe that China has taken a big step to threaten American interests, which must be contained through a trade war because China can be vulnerable from the very point where it has become powerful and strong, and this is nothing but foreign investment. Therefore, the  Republicans will try to hit Beijing through foreign and international investments.

However, to confront China’s economic power, the American people will not support this policy much because American society has become highly consumerist and wants to continue its prosperity. This is while a trade war with China requires economic austerity, a resistant economy, and giving up prosperity to preserve national interests, which American society is unlikely to be ready for. Of course, China is well aware of this. This expert on American affairs stated regarding Trump’s approach to the Ukraine issue and the continuation of political, financial, and military support for this country with the support of Europe: If Trump had the power, America would quickly withdraw from this war, but the political and security structure of this country does not support Trump’s wishes. In this situation, Trump will definitely leave the bulk of the costs of the Ukrainian war to Europe and ask Europe to pay for the cost of supporting Ukraine because it is more important to them; otherwise, he will move towards reducing financial and weapons support.

Abolfatah clarified: In the Republicans’ view, America should move towards selling security worldwide, whether to Europe or to Arab and East Asian countries. From the American point of view, anyone who wants the country’s security umbrella must pay for it, and Trump is pursuing this policy, of course, with the same approach as his previous presidential term, in a broader way.

Regarding Trump’s immediate actions and instructions, after he took over on January 20, he stated: At least two or three of the contracts and agreements he had withdrawn in his previous term and which Biden had rejoined will be withdrawn again.

On environmental issues, he will definitely reject all agreements or at least demand that the United States be exempted from its obligations and financial issues. In this regard, he will definitely put political and financial pressure on European countries. Trump will also probably withdraw from some international organizations, such as the Human Rights Council and UNESCO, which have taken actions that are against the interests of the Israeli regime. In general, Trump does not have a good relationship with international institutions, and we will see this policy applied during this period of his presidency.

Abolfatah said that Trump’s first executive orders will most likely be on immigration issues in the United States. In the next step, he will issue orders to improve trade and then move on to foreign policy issues. He will prioritize actions that show he has heard the people’s and voters’ voices.

This expert on American issues continued: Trump says the world should follow America, and in his opinion, these institutions are good international institutions that serve America’s interests. If there is a conflict between America and these institutions, they do not hesitate to withdraw from them. Of course, sometimes Trump or the conservatives want to withdraw from an international institution. Still, they do not have the possibility, so they may not withdraw, but they will definitely put pressure on that institution and organization.

Regarding the Gaza war and Trump’s approach, Abolfatah stated: A ceasefire in Gaza has its own requirements, not that Trump wanted it. If Netanyahu could have plowed Lebanon and Gaza, he would have done so and would have entered the war on the ground, but he cannot do so. Therefore, if a ceasefire occurs in Lebanon and Gaza, it will not necessarily be affected by Trump’s coming to power. Even if Trump had not won the battle, it would not have made a difference in the issue’s essence.