U.S. President Donald Trump's style of governance risks turning towards a form of cronyism, which only serves the interests of a select group of individuals, who are close to the president, rather than delivering policies that benefit the U.S. public, according to a scholar.
Stuart Malawer, a distinguished service professor of law and international trade at George Mason University, made the remarks during a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Malawer said the continuous tariff threats from Trump is an example of his coercive personality, which has been influencing his conducts, career, and even the policy making in the White House.
"From the time he was in real estate, in Queens, New York, the time he was in the White House, that's how he's conducted his personal, professional and political life, through threats," he said.
Since taking office to start his second term last month, Trump has signed a series of executive orders and announced a blitz of aggressive trade measures as part of his so-called "America First" agenda.
The latest Trump tariff announcement came on Wednesday with the President saying he intends to impose tariffs of around 25 percent on auto imports.
On Feb. 10, Trump raised tariffs on aluminum from 10 percent to 25 percent and ended exemptions and exclusions for steel and aluminum tariffs.
These tariff policies have sparked widespread opposition, with analysts saying the measures undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, impact the global supply chain, hinder global economic recovery, and harm the interests of all parties.
Noting that Trump's tariffs will cause even higher inflation at home and force the ordinary Americans to pay for the price, Malawer warned the decision to impose tariffs on certain goods can potentially leave room for a small group of elites to influence decision making in the White House, thus creating cronyism and lack of transparency in the U.S. political system.
"What it really does is create a cronyism and a political system where the interests of particular parties, which rival between themselves, will try to influence the governments and political actions. So, the answer to your question, yes, it's going to favor not just his (Trump's) political friends, but it will go back in a sense to the past of where it's cronyism, not really public policy objectives that are negotiated and discussed in the open," he said.
Trump's governance style risks creating cronyism: scholar
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
