Putting us all in peril
THE election of Donald Trump is a tragedy not just for America but the rest of the world.
The keys to the globe’s most powerful democracy have been handed to a man who is a serial liar, sexual predator and overt racist.
Anyone who cares about the wellbeing of the United States, where inequality is rife and racial tensions run high, should be alarmed.
Those who care about global security, the international economy, climate change and human rights should despair.
America has not elected a genial maverick but a man who exploited racial fears, distorted the truth and pandered to base instincts to win.
It is deeply troubling that voters either dismissed or overlooked the serious flaws in Trump’s character, accepted many of his statements as truth and cheered his slurs against Muslims and Mexicans.
FRIGHTENING
Never before has America elected a president who faces lawsuits for his shady business practices, has been accused of sexual assault and has threatened to use his executive powers to lock up his rival.
If Trump’s domestic agenda is distasteful, not least his plans to dismantle Obamacare, expel Muslims and build a wall on the Mexican border, his foreign policies are truly frightening.
The President elect poses a risk to world security, the global economy and Nato.
A Britain reeling from the consequences of Brexit will not be immune from the contagion about to be spread by Trump.
Our national security is at risk from his appeasement of Vladimir Putin, his indifference to common Western values and his dangerous approach to world trade.
If Trump executes his threat to impose high tariffs on Chinese and Mexican imports there is a danger of a trade war that would further stall a struggling global economy.
The retreat of the world’s policeman back to his Washington sentry box could embolden Putin as he seeks to expand Russian influence in the Baltic states, Ukraine and Georgia.
SCANDAL
The world is a more dangerous and unstable place than it was just over 24 hours ago.
While we should be fearful of a Trump presidency we should also seek to understand why he won so convincingly.
There is no doubt that Hillary Clinton was a flawed choice for the Democrats. She lacked charisma, lost trust over the email scandal and embodied the dynastic cronyism of Washington that is resented by so many Americans.
But Trump also won because he spoke to those left behind by globalisation, stuck in lowpaid and insecure jobs and fearful for their families’ future.
If the march of the populist Right is to be countered we must not scorn those who voted for Trump or, in Britain’s case for Brexit, but listen to their concerns.
Their grievances are genuine and they must be addressed.
We cannot afford to allow Trump’s type of repulsive and divisive politics to take root here.