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Despite 'America First' slogan, Donald Trump isn't really an isolationist

Trump seeks a role of domination, not withdrawal, in the international order

Donald Trump’s administration has drafted the executive order aimed at overhauling the work-visa programmes IT firms depend on for hiring. Photo: Reuters
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Donald Trump’s administration has drafted the executive order aimed at overhauling the work-visa programmes IT firms depend on for hiring. Photo: Reuters

David Smith | The Conversation

Donald Trump is often called an “isolationist”. Some commentators argue he has revived a dormant isolationist tradition that goes all the way back to the Revolution.

His slogan “America First”, which featured prominently in his inauguration speech, evokes the movement of the same name that fought to keep the United States out of the second world war.

Since assuming the presidency, Trump has not backed down from his campaign rhetoric about withdrawing from trade deals and reconsidering alliances. And there would seem to be no better metaphor