Trump’s A Loose Cannon, Why It Could Cost You
It’s been over a week since Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States. Like more than 65,000,000 other Americans, I do not support President Trump. I believe his policies are anti-American and put recent economic growth at risk. But hey, I’m some whiny little snowflake teenager, so my opinion doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that President Trump’s recent actions involving trade and foreign policy will have negative effects on international travel. Here’s why.
Anti-Trade, Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Travel
President Trump officially started Monday, but already, it’s been a very busy couple of days for the new administration. Though President Trump frequently condemned President Obama’s use of executive actions, the new administration is well on its way to a hefty stack of executive actions itself. The new administration has covered everything from allowing construction of pipelines to not allowing Americans to return to their country. President Trump has issued 14 executive orders since Monday. Among those 14 were some that were blatantly anti-travel.
Recent, Future Growth in Asia Now at Risk
The big three US airlines, American, Delta, and United, have all been expanding in Asia in recent years. Additionally, Asian air carriers have also made a push into the US. Growth has come from expansions into Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. However, the country that’s seen the most growth as it relates to direct airline service to the United States is China. Both the “big three” and Chinese carriers, aided by economic growth in both nations, have added service between the two countries. Aircraft including the Boeing 787 and Airbus a350 had ensured future growth into smaller, more remote Chinese cities. In recent decades, the United States and China have both benefited from mutual trade. The US imports everything from toys to electronics and in turn, China has grown, as has the US. This growth is undoubtedly what allowed for US airlines to expand into China.
It’s believed that due to the great distance aircraft had to cover, that routes to secondary cities in Asian cities have always been somewhat fragile. For example, United operates San Francisco to Chengdu, China. This route could potentially be suspended or dropped due to slightly higher oil prices or decreased economic activity between the US and China. This is because the route has lesser demand than say San Francisco to Beijing but covers the same distance, requiring nearly the same amount of fuel. This is the same scenario with many other routes from the US to Asian countries.
The Trump administration has already backed out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership which could potentially mean decreased trade and economic activity between the US and Asian nations. Additionally, President Trump really doesn’t like China. He’s publicly stated that he wants to bring manufacturing jobs over to the US from China and make goods back in the US. That’s great if the US didn’t regulate its workforce and respect workers rights. Ultimately, if those jobs do shift away from China, Americans will pay more money for goods. Furthermore, cutting ties with China and other Asian countries including Japan and South Korea in favor of making things in the US would likely mean a decrease in flights between the US and Asian countries. With significantly fewer business ties between the United States and Asian countries, both Asian airlines and US based airlines could lose premium business travelers they need so badly to continue to serve cities in Asia. Fewer flights to Asia means less international travel and a decline in growth for major US airlines.
He’s Gonna Build a Wall, and It’s Gonna Hurt the US Economy
Sorry to break it to all of the anti-Mexico Trump supporters but the US and Mexico are trade partners for a reason. Mexico can make certain things cheaper than the US can, and the US can make certain things cheaper than Mexico can. It’s known as specialization, and it’s the driving force behind NAFTA. NAFTA is also a major reason the US and Mexico have historically had a great relationship with each other. This great relationship is seen through, not only NAFTA, but some of the frequent traveler programs. From special passport(-ish) cards for those who frequently pass between the border between the US and Mexico to Mexican Nationals having access to known traveler programs in the US. It’s very easy to legally travel between the two North American nations.
However, relatively stress-free legal border crossings for Americans and Mexican Nationals could be coming to an end. The Trump administration is in the process of building a massive border wall to keep immigrants out of the United States. Additionally, President Trump wants to re-evaluate NAFTA and other trade relations with Mexico. This all points towards more stressful travel between the US and Mexico whether it’s by air or by car. The President’s recent Twitter tirades regarding the Mexican government’s stance on not paying for a border wall have also proved the President to be incapable of maintaining foreign relations. That of course, could also be very detrimental to international travel.
Trump Doesn’t Even Want Americans to Enter America
That’s right. One of President Trump’s most recent executive orders bans both immigrants and refugees from certain Muslim countries. This means that visas won’t be accepted from these Muslim countries. Aside from how blatantly racist and disgusting this executive order is, it means that even Americans wanting to return from these countries will not be able to return. Their visas aren’t valid. Not only is President Trump anti-immigrant but he also appears to be anti-American.
Again, aside from the racism, this is shocking. With one signature, the President of the United States has just banned travel from seven countries. This is so shocking because it demonstrates how easy it is for the President to simply ban travel to/from a certain country. What’s keeping him from doing this to other countries he’s not happy with or views as a potential threat?
Additionally, the Trump administration has suspended the Visa Interview Waiver Program. The Visa Interview Waiver Program allows a select group of international travelers from certain countries to bypass the in-person interview required to obtain a US visa. This is blatantly anti-travel.
Overall
I don’t like Trump, period. The Trump administration is simply bad for the United States. As a young person with his entire life ahead of him; deciding whether to major in Aviation Management or Business, wondering what the future job market holds, and looking further into the future to what it’s going to be like to raise a family, President Trump could very well change this country for the worse. Aside from this, he’s anti-globalization. Though to an extent, I too believe that globalization has its limits, it’s needed in today’s world. Trump’s dangerous “America First” mentality could very well have devastating consequences on international travel. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Comments closed. I couldn’t respond and moderate quick enough and I’m concerned to what this post could be if I leave them open. Thanks!
“But hey, I’m some whiny little snowflake teenager, so my opinion doesn’t really matter.”
(Should have stopped there since this was about the only accurate part of your demagogic diatribe. lol.)
Snowflakes will be snowflakes. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I enjoy diverse opinions and civil discourse because it’s what this country is all about so I tend not to mute myself just because someone doesn’t like what I have to say. But hey, I get it, facts are super scary!
-Max P.
As for “facts are super scary!”, you seem to be the only one scared witless. (But I guess I might be too if I thought 2% of what you believe is true!) Were you aware that Obama ceased all immigration from Iraq for 6 months, refugees and otherwise, way back in 2011? Probably not. Not many liberals seem to know that. Because Obama did it, not a peep. No faux, virtue-signalling outrage. Weird. Anyway, this type of thing has been done before in one variation or another many times in our history. All without the selective/hypocritical outrage liberals are engaged… Read more »
I’m kinda tired and I really don’t feel like doing this anymore so, eh, I guess you win! Have fun with your guy.
I think you are on the money and bodes ill for international travel and ultimately the value of traveling on an American passport. This isn’t a comment solely about Trump. It is a comment on implenting bad a bad policy through executive order. Throughout my travels, I have witnessed first hand many times the respect we get for being a strong, shining light of freedom and tolerance throughout the world. Actions such as these undermines that respect and are sure to have ramifications.
Thank you Joseph. I was really hoping for more comments like yours. The President aside, we’re seeing anti-travel executive orders, period.
-Max P.
Your teenage opinion still counts but, as time goes by, you’re likely to become less incensed when things don’t go your way. Try to remember that things are never as good as they seem but are never as bad as they seem. It is nice to see your post is about the effect on travel more so than just your political views. There’s a reason the founding fathers designed a system where the candidate with the most populist votes doesn’t necessarily become president. Some of the commenters on these blogs are convinced that not only is Trump going to destroy… Read more »
I don’t think Trump is going to destroy the world. I think he’s an arrogant xenophobe. I disagree with his policies. However, I understand why 63 million Americans voted for him. I have friends and family that voted for him. I disagree but I understand.
His policies are bad for travel, period.
-Max P.
Max. If you wrote this then kudos to you young man. However if you take the time to look around the world that your traveling in Brexit was the beginning of the world pushing back against “Globalization” plain and simple. As you travel take the time to talk to people. Watch the up coming elections in Germany, France and Holland see what happens there. People are tired of being pushed and told what to do. Many of us want to slow it down. Security is not bad politics. As a note I travel internationally and nothing has changed as it… Read more »
Yeah, your right. You are a precious little snowflake. It’s good to have someone in charge that believes in America and the majority of what it stands for. Half the country had to put up with “your” guy for the last 8 years and there was hardly any mention of the things that he did because the media supported him. Now you just have to face that your person lost so suck it up buttercup. Trump hasn’t even been in office for over a week and all the media has to say are negative. Give him a chance and let’s… Read more »
Go home Chuck, you’re on the wrong side of history.
I commend you for your detailed summery of your feeling so elegantly written by a senior in high school. Bravo. However it does, if this was totally written by you express the nativity of a teenager. Mr. Trump is our President and he was elected by people in this country that believe we are first, not the world. We can not sustain the old policies of Mr. Obama nor can we continue to enjoy the security we have. We enjoy freedom here in the US, why not try one of those countries that want to harm us. See what it’s… Read more »
First off, no one “assisted” me in writing this. I’m studying economics, I travel internationally, and I have my own political views. Thank you for your service. I’ve been working with veterans at an assisted living facility for the last month so I’m beginning to understand the immense sacrifice our vets have made for our freedom.
As for policy, we have to agree to disagree. Globalization fuels the economy. We can’t cut off ties with the rest of the world.
-Max
At no time have I heard or read that Trump wants to end globalization. He’s just tired of the USA always picking up an outsized piece of the check and feels he can negotiate a better deal. The rally is America First, not America Only. Admit it or not, he’s known as a master negotiator and that means his mere mention or involvement moves the other side to expect to be forced to reduce the long-standing return on their deal (to put it in terms for an economics studier). Game theory. Will be a lot of bluffing/grandstanding that goes on… Read more »
Interesting take. I personally think Trump is an idiot so, I disagree. We’ll see what happens but I’ll be tickled pink if your scenario is true.
-Max P.
Lame reply. Before your mind is completely warped by academia, consider reading a bit of Martin Armstrong’s blog. He has lived real-life economics, your professor likely has not. You will also discover quite a different view of “history”. Take my suggestion seriously.
K Bob. I’ll tell my economics teacher (who just so happens to have a doctorate) that he’s wrong and should live in the real world. I’m sure he’ll understand.
Why I’m at it, I’ll just email 95% of economics professors and tell then they’re wrong about Trump.
-Max P.
I tried. There are none so blind as those who will not see.
I see, I see you presenting me with alternative facts. I’ll pass.
The frog in the well knows not of the great ocean.
I think he is an absolute disgrace. I agree with everything you wrote. Of course! Anyone who doesn’t has a very low IQ or is a racist xenophobe with no compassion, decency or soul. A Trump supporter in essence.