The Economist recently argued in a cover story "America’s global influence has dwindled under Donald Trump" that, a presidential tour of Asia cannot hide the fact that America has turned inward, hurting itself and the world.
Optimists even speculate that he might emulate Ronald Reagan, by shaking up the diplomatic establishment, restoring America’s military muscle and projecting such strength abroad. Others confidently predict that even if he causes short-term damage to America’s standing in the world, Mr.Trump will be voted out in 2020 and things will return to normal. All this is wishful thinking. On security, Mr.Trump has avoided some terrible mistakes. he has made some serious errors, too, such as undermining the deal with Iran that curbs its ability to make nuclear bombs. And his instincts are atrocious. He imagines he has nothing to learn from history. His tweeting is no joke: he undermines and contradicts his officials without warning. On trade, he remains wedded to a zero-sum view of the world, in which exporters “win” and importers “lose”.
Perhaps the greatest damage that Mr.Trump has done is to American soft power. The idea that things will return to normal after a single Trump term is too sanguine. The world is moving on. Asians are building new trade ties, often centred on China. Europeans are working out how to defend themselves if they cannot rely on Uncle Sam. And American politics are turning inward: both Republicans and Democrats are more protectionist now than they were before Mr Trump’s electoral triumph.
James Fallows is a national correspondent for The Atlantic. He has reported extensively from outside the United States and once worked as President Carter's chief speechwriter. How would he review the current status of US politics, Trump's impact on the US as president and his recent Asia tour?
Join us to hear Mr.Fallow's speaking on "American disease" Sunday, December 3, 3pm at NYU Shanghai. This event is organized by The Economist Global Business Review, and co-sponsored by NYU Shanghai Center for Business Education and Research.
Agenda
Date：Sunday, December 3, 2017
14:30 – 15:00 Registration
15:00 – 15:10 Welcome Note by NYU Shanghai Provost
15:10 – 15:40 Dialogue between James Fallows and Wu Chen
15:40 – 16:10 Panel Discussion
Panelists:
James Fallows, National correspondent for The Atlantic; US ex-President Carter's chief speechwriter
Wu Chen, Managing Director, The Economist Global Business Review
Jeffrey Lehman, Vice Chancellor NYU Shanghai