The curtains of the American Presidential election fell, an agonizing four days after the most polarized show ended on the 3rd November 2020. Donald Trump, the sitting President and his vice-president Mike Pence from the Republicans, sought re-election and his challengers from the Democratic Party Joe Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris won.
What a win it was! A cliffhanger and often with a razor-thin majority in many states. But a win is a win, and here the US has presented itself and to the world its 46th US President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Kamala becomes the first coloured to break the glass ceiling of male-dominated American leadership.
The four years of Trump could have been one of the significant moments in the US history, revealing the chinks of a deep-rooted racial discord and a degree of America’s ambivalence for its time-tested allies, NATO in particular. It also witnessed knee-jerk reactions to several critical neighbours, raising a wall along the US-Mexico’s 3245 kilometres. Trump left a stamp of whimsicality and unpredictability in his many actions.
Donald Trump was, however, the President of the United States and behaved exclusively as one, caring little for the mood of the rest of the world, or the impact of his actions over his friends and world allies. The significant contribution of Trump could be dismantling the Chinese trade and military hegemony, particularly in the South and South-East Asia. Being a businessman, Trump improved the overall economy, and the employment figures too were satisfactory, until Covid set in. His juvenility came to the fore while withdrawing from the Paris Accord, withdrawing from various places wherever they were in war with god-knows-who. His action was obstinate, withdrawing from WHO and holding funds when the world had the worst pandemic in the living memory.
The cosmopolitan character of the United States of America I had known, for tolerance and brotherhood, stood challenged during his tenure. Polarization was visible, white Vs blacks. The national guards and the police were seen more than ever quelling the unrest. The more vociferous roar of righteous majority drowned the many voices of despair. The blue and the red stood divided like never before.
Trump, as I write this, is taking it up with the courts and is not likely to step down in the normal course. His conviction of a fraudulent electoral process is unbecoming of the grace and dignity of his position as the President may demand. Admitting a loss of mandate and making way for a smooth transition, Trump must return to what he is at his best, minding his business. ‘You didn’t do bad, Don, half of the US still strongly supporting you!’
Like a toss of a coin, one side has to win, and Biden-Kamala won. The world will remember this election as the most fiercely fought election ever in US history. I hope and believe that Biden, true to his words, will live up to the expectations of all the American people unifying his country. I also expect America to be back on the world forums and contribute to the peaceful environment in the world.
India hopes for a continued close alliance with the US in trade and ‘all-allied’ matters.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
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