Following the swearing in of Donald Trump as the 47th President of America on Monday, reactions have trooped in, especially in light of his quickness in signing executive orders. Many have shown support, while some others have criticised his decisions.
Joining a discussion with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday to discuss Trump’s first few hours in office as well as some of his policies,
Professor Femi Otubanjo, a research professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), stated that Trump’s campaign promises were “hyperbolic,” locking him into positions that he could not easily abandon once elected.
Otunbajo said, “He (Trump) locked himself in a situation where he can’t escape.” He noted that Trump’s bold promises during the election campaign were not just lofty rhetoric but core elements of his political identity.
As Otubanjo explains, “Immigration, illegal migrants, major items in his campaign. In fact that was his major campaign slogan and I can see that he’s following up on that.”
Given the centrality of these issues to his election, Trump has no choice but to act on them. “He said that from day one, he was going to begin the deportation program. One is not surprised that he has issued an executive order in that area and they are beginning to carry out that order by shutting down the CBP app,” Otubanjo observed.
This “locked-in” situation creates a dynamic where any deviation from his campaign pledges could be seen as a failure by his base.
Further speaking on Trump’s policies, Otubanjo highlighted how Trump’s tariff policies could have unintended consequences for global trade.
On the energy front, the professor pointed out that the United States’ ramped-up crude oil production has already shifted global energy dynamics. The “United States has stopped being one of our major buyers of crude oil because of increased production of crude oil in the United States. We all can expect that that negative balance will continue if the United States ramps up its drilling,” he said.
While Trump’s campaign rhetoric was bold, Otubanjo also emphasised the difference between what is said on the campaign trail and what is implemented as policy. “There’s always that distinction between rhetoric and policies. Rhetoric will be moderated by the reality of bureaucratic processing. It’s one thing for Trump to say something, it’s another thing for it to be acceptable within the context of the orientation of American foreign policy,” he observed.
Despite concerns, Otunbajo concluded by expressing cautious optimism. “Although we are awaiting Trump with some anxiety, the world may not necessarily face too much turbulence under Trump.”
As Trump’s immigration and trade policies unfold, the global community—and particularly countries like Nigeria—are watching closely to assess the long-term implications of the commitment to his promises.
Melissa Enoch
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