As the world turns its eyes to the international stage, it seems former President Donald Trump is once again basking in the glow of global adoration. Recently touching down in Tokyo, he was received with all the pomp you’d expect for royalty, perhaps fueling those persistent whispers that liberals think of him as some kind of monarch. His warm welcome in Malaysia might have put former President Obama’s visit there to shame, some say. After all, who else lands to the iconic Rocky theme blasting triumphantly, except someone who’s just scored a major diplomatic knockout with China?
Trump’s every move these days seems to irritate his critics while tickling his supporters pink. Meeting with South Korea’s top brass, he’s declared not only imminent success with China but has painted himself as the great farmer of global deals. Reports suggest that Trump has been outmaneuvering China like a seasoned chess player, and not just with Southeast Asia. As if choreographed by some economic puppeteer, trade deals with Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are unfolding magically. It’s as if Trump waved his Sharpie, and voilà, the U.S. is suddenly drowning in coveted minerals. Rock on, Supply Chain.
As Japan showers him with regal honors, it’s hard to overlook the transformation underway. While the Japanese Prime Minister is gearing up to purchase a fleet of Ford F-150s (because nothing screams “intercontinental diplomacy” like American trucks rolling through Tokyo), Southeast Asia is embracing America tighter than ever. China, the dragon once breathing fire, now appears to be coughing up soybeans with tariffs turning tails at 40%. Who would’ve thought the art of the deal might just involve a new paint-by-numbers approach with some whimsical side deals?
On a more whimsical note, the grand old European and Middle Eastern allies seem no longer skittish about stepping up for Uncle Sam, and even artificial intelligence races are being won. The Donald’s admirers might insist the world is finally learning to play ball or, in this case, a round of geopolitical tic-tac-toe with the ex-president as the cheeky puppet master. It’s almost enough to turn heads back home where, ironically, the government remains shuttered amid domestic squabbles.
However, for every hurrah on foreign soil, there remains a grumble from the naysayers. The term “dictator” gets bandied about faster than Twitter can muster, especially from discussions in certain talk show circles—and their disdain is palpable. Nonetheless, even with the oddball party gaga rallying behind him, it’s a tall order seeing how rivals expect to upend this ballroom boogie when Trump, decked out as the Daddy of Deals, seems to re-sculpt the world stage one dance-forward shuffle at a time. Meanwhile, the Democrats are still scrounging to jam a reluctant door to governance open in their own backyard. Evolving ballrooms or not, Trump’s strategy appears a class act, whatever aisle you sit on.
