Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine has been a polarizing force in American politics, a rallying cry for some and a lightning rod for others. I see both the appeal and the risks in this approach. While it taps into legitimate concerns about globalization’s impact on American workers and national sovereignty, its execution often veers into divisiveness and shortsightedness, undermining the very goals it claims to champion.
At its core, “America First” resonates because it addresses real anxieties. Decades of trade deals, like NAFTA, have left industrial heartlands hollowed out, with manufacturing jobs vanishing to cheaper labor markets. The Rust Belt’s decline isn’t just economic—it’s cultural, eroding communities and fueling distrust in elites. Trump’s promise to prioritize American workers, protect borders, and renegotiate trade deals speaks to those left behind by globalization’s march. His administration’s push for tariffs on Chinese goods and the USMCA trade agreement showed a willingness to confront economic imbalances head-on. For many, this felt like a long-overdue correction, a government finally putting its own people first.
Yet, the approach often lacks nuance and stumbles in execution. Tariffs, while bold, have had mixed results. American consumers and farmers bore the brunt of retaliatory tariffs, with soybean exports plummeting nearly 20% in 2018 due to China’s response. The “buy American” ethos, while patriotic, ignores the reality of interconnected supply chains. Forcing companies to relocate manufacturing back to the U.S. sounds appealing but can raise costs and stifle innovation in a global economy. A centrist perspective values pragmatism—yes, protect American jobs, but don’t pretend we can isolate ourselves from the world without consequences.
Immigration
On immigration, “America First” takes a harder line, emphasizing border security and reduced inflows. The concern about unchecked immigration straining public resources isn’t baseless; communities often feel the pressure on schools, healthcare, and wages. But the rhetoric and policies—like family separations or the Muslim travel ban—alienated moderates and inflamed tensions. A Democratic-leaning centrist would argue for a balanced approach: secure borders paired with humane reforms, like a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, rather than blanket demonization of immigrants. Trump’s focus on walls over comprehensive reform often seemed more about optics than solutions.
Foreign Policy
Foreign policy under “America First” is perhaps its most divisive arena. Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal signaled a rejection of multilateralism, appealing to those who see global institutions as infringing on U.S. sovereignty. There’s merit in questioning whether these agreements always serve American interests—many centrists share skepticism about bloated bureaucracies like the UN. But abandoning global leadership risks ceding influence to rivals like China, which has eagerly filled the vacuum in trade and climate talks. A centrist would prefer a middle path: stay engaged globally but negotiate harder to ensure America’s interests aren’t sidelined.
The biggest blind spot in “America First” is its tendency to pit Americans against each other. The rhetoric often frames “real Americans” against a vague “other”—whether it’s coastal elites, immigrants, or political opponents. This divisiveness undercuts the unity needed to actually put America first. A Democratic-leaning centrist would argue that national strength comes from inclusivity, not exclusion. Policies should lift all Americans—rural and urban, blue-collar and professional—rather than stoking culture wars that distract from shared goals like infrastructure or healthcare reform.
Ultimately, “America First” captures a truth: a government’s primary duty is to its citizens. But its implementation too often sacrifices pragmatism for populism, alienating allies abroad and dividing people at home. A centrist approach, tempered by Democratic values, would keep the focus on American workers and security but pursue it through cooperation, compassion, and a clear-eyed view of global realities. We can put America first without making everyone else last.