Trump has won the election. I wanted to see how this would affect me and our society. Also, how would this affect sustainability? So I searched several articles on Trump’s agendas. These are the things he promised at the campaign, so we will have to see whether he fulfills them. Even if he does not, we could still have a general sense of his opinions that could influence future policies.

• Build a wall bordering Mexico
• Suspend immigration by refugees from Syria
• Withdraw from NATO
• End Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
• Shift the focus from not only deporting criminal immigrants but also law-abiding undocumented immigrants
• Nominate a new Supreme Court justice
• Withdraw from NATO and American military protection of Korea and Japan
• Hostile policies toward Muslim world
• Loosen the energy regulations such as emission levels
• Withdraw from World Trade Organization
• Tax cut on high earners
• Revamp Medicare and Social Security
• Increase defense spending
• More to come…

I think Trump’s extreme agenda can be summarized as this: “America First.” Each of these policies have tremendous ramifications not only to our country but also other countries as well.

Now, what does his policies mean to business and sustainability in general? The most obvious and noticeable change can result from loosening of the environment regulations. Companies like Volkswagen are paying billions of money for disobeying the car emission level set by the U.S government (“Pollution is Expensive…and Short Lived”). U.S just made significant gains with China who “agreed to major deal with the U.S on climate emissions…” (Sarlin). Will China still consider this deal seriously with our new leader? Will businesses such as Volkswagen continue to be on their toes to keep our environment a sustainable place? (“Pollution is Expensive… and Short-Lived“) With our president audaciously calling environmental scientists’ claims a “hoax,” the businesses may not respect and will not remain compliant to our environment laws.

“America First” mentality is not sustainability. “Only me” type of thinking and actions would not be beneficial to United States on the long run. Here is a great example of this (Excerpt from “Pollution is Expensive …and Short-Lived”):

In 2002, both Pepsi and Coca Cola plants were operating in Kerala, India when the residents accused them of drawing too much water from the public water source (Savitz). Although it was proven that neither Pepsi nor Coca Cola was using the public water, Pepsi, in response to the protest, helped develop wells in Kerala. Later on, anti-US sentiments in India drove Pepsi and Coca Cola to close their plants. However, only Pepsi’s plant was allowed to resume operating after the local villagers protected the business. Companies bent on supporting the sustainable environment for the local stakeholders outlast those who do not.

Pepsi could not have foreseen that the local villagers would help them stay in business in Kerala. Whether Pepsi knew about local villager’s aid, Pepsi chose to help the stakeholders in need. As a result, Pepsi was allowed to stay. We cannot foresee what types of economic, political, physical, psychological, emotional or even spiritual danger America may face in the near future. We also cannot foresee how other countries can actually end up helping United States, like the way Kerala villagers did.

In other words, sustainability is about teamwork. Sustainable efforts are typically achieved by many working together for a common cause. When America needs help, who do they turn to? America may be a superpower among the nations now, but who knows what will become of its power several years later or a decade later? Many big projects cannot be completed alone, and Trump’s “all alone”approach will not strengthen America on the long run.

Sarlin, B. (2016). “Donald Trump Wins Presidency: Here’s How He Might Govern.” New York Times. Accessed 9 November 2016. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-election-day/donald-trump-wins-presidency-heres-how-he-might-govern-n678911

Savitz, A. The Triple Bottom Line: How Today’s Best-Run companies Are Achieving Economic Success–and How You Can Too. San Francisco: A Wiley Brand, 2014.