Opposing view: There’s nothing wrong with being a nationalist
President Donald Trump has consistently focused on putting America first on the world stage, resulting in wins on behalf of the American people.
North Korea hasn’t tested a nuclear missile or ICBM since last fall, Iran has felt immense pressure from U.S.-imposed sanctions, and we have watched competitors and allies alike come to the table to renegotiate bad trade deals.
The president’s efforts to renegotiate trade pacts such as NAFTA and the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement were widely derided. However, the president brushed aside his detractors and kept his eye on the prize of fair trade. Now we have a trade agreement with South Korea that benefits American manufacturers and allows us to maintain a strong relationship with a key ally.
The president has also agreed to a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada that, if passed by Congress, will protect the American worker while ensuring higher environmental standards throughout North America.
Additionally, despite what some opponents might insist, President Trump has not left behind our key defense alliances, such as NATO. Rather, he has insisted that America be treated fairly.
The president has been a supporter of NATO, calling for the alliance to modernize. He has also called for our allies to contribute the agreed-upon 2 percent of their gross domestic product toward defense. These are positive, logical steps that benefit not just America but the alliance as a whole.
Finally, President Trump has stood up to China in a way that past presidents have not. This administration has effectively cornered the Chinese, making it likely that the two countries will soon agree on trade and intellectual property protections.
Some critics and opponents decry the president’s use of the term “nationalist.” That is a waste of time. Being a nationalist is to correctly believe that America is a beacon of freedom and is the greatest country in the world. These are sentiments all Americans should want to get behind.