For the past year, the world has become entangled in a new kind of challenge. After the rise of Donald Trump as President of the United States (US), there has been turmoil across the globe. This upheaval is visible not only in trade and economic spheres, but also in political, strategic, and military domains. The President of the United States is not the leader of an ordinary country. It is not only the world’s most powerful and prosperous nation today, but for more than a hundred years it has maintained a deep and wide-ranging grip across the globe.
Whether it is the seas, the skies, or the land, from space stations to nuclear submarines in the deepest oceans, America has an extensive global military apparatus. From the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to the West Asia, it has built a vast network of political, trade, and military alliances. Its total trade, with imports and exports combined, amounts to nearly 6 trillion dollars, involving almost every country in the world. It possesses the world’s largest military force, with an annual budget of nearly one trillion dollars, which is planned to be increased to 1.5 trillion dollars this year. Its dominance in science and technology continues to sustain its position as a major global power.
A new reality, however, has emerged. The United States has been troubled by persistent trade deficits. Manufacturing within the country has declined sharply. Now, it seeks to divert the flow of global wealth towards itself at any cost. Earlier, in the 1940s and 1950s, it established institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the IMF to ensure that global financial flows remained centered on itself. When these institutions no longer seemed sufficiently useful, it promoted the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations and later, in 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO). When these too failed to deliver the desired advantage, the same country that once championed globalisation and liberalisation now feels industrially and economically insecure and seeks to erect a wall of tariffs around itself.
The Tariff Tribulation
Whether friend, foe, or neutral, every country has been subjected to tariffs. In fact, higher tariffs have often been imposed on allies. Canada faces tariffs of 35 per cent, Bharat 50 per cent, and Europe has also been subjected to unilateral measures. In the case of Greenland, there are even discussions of further tariffs. Tariffs have thus emerged as a new kind of economic nuclear weapon, used to intimidate the world and redirect wealth flows towards the United States. Questions of morality, legality, or international norms seem irrelevant.
Many believe this is happening solely because of Donald Trump. This is not true. Trump may be outspoken and impulsive in speech, but the underlying thinking is embedded in America’s structural processes. Whether Democratic or Republican, and regardless of influential think tanks, the focus remains on American interests—or more precisely, the interests of powerful American lobbies, not even the ordinary American citizen. Even if tariffs lead to inflation and hardship for common Americans, it causes little concern. Concern for global humanity is out of the question; even domestic inequality does not seem to matter.
Democracy, rule-based global order, and ethics are upheld only as long as they benefit American interests. Otherwise, self-interest is placed above all else without delay. If Russia wants Ukraine, the United States wants Venezuela’s oil and Greenland’s land. It expects all countries to pay a new kind of tax in the form of tariffs, simply because it is a large economy and a military power. Europe is deeply troubled by the Greenland issue and increasingly opposed to the US. Canada is openly referred to as a prospective US state. As a result, Canada, that is historically distrustful of China, has begun engaging with it, with its Prime Minister visiting China and also planning a visit to India.
The Saga of Maga
Why is the United States acting this way? To understand this, one must look back. After World War II, the US invited talent from across the world to develop its science, technology, and industry. Brilliant young minds and entrepreneurs migrated there, leading to numerous innovations. The US earns enormous income from intellectual property rights—nearly 9 trillion dollars, about 30 per cent of its GDP. Over decades, however, native Americans grew increasingly comfortable, preferring investments in stock markets and earning from IP and equity in companies built by immigrant talent, while enjoying a life of leisure. As a result, productivity among native citizens declined.
Over the last 60–70 years, large numbers of people from Bharat and China migrated to the US. This has created a perception among native Americans that their demographics are under threat and jobs are being taken over by outsiders. The Republican Party capitalised on these sentiments during the last election, promising jobs for native Americans, expulsion of outsiders, control of inflation, and preservation of White Christian dominance. This led to the rise of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) constituency that forms Trump’s core support.
A major miscalculation is evident here. Those hardworking, intelligent, and entrepreneurial people who played a key role in building modern America are now being treated as outsiders. This resentment cannot be easily accepted. The Democratic Party has amplified this voice. Moreover, if these people leave or are marginalised, America itself will decline. Artificial measures such as tariffs and costly membership schemes may temporarily sustain wealth, but in the long run, the weakening of the American economy appears inevitable, even if it takes time.
Pathway for Bharat
The most important question is: what is the path for Bharat in this situation? Is there any near-term solution? Every great challenge also brings a great opportunity. This is perhaps the biggest global challenge of our time. If Bharat resolves to transform this challenge into an opportunity, it can assume a new global role. For this, Bharat must rapidly strengthen itself economically and strategically, while also preparing to lead the many countries distressed and intimidated by American coercion. The present moment offers a rare opportunity. Over the past year, the US has distanced itself from nearly every country. In the coming years, this distance may even turn into hostility. China is the other major power, having emerged as a strong economic and strategic force, but Europe does not trust it. Around 55 or 56 African nations have become economically dependent on China, yet they too seek a path forward with dignity, free from coercion.
In this context, Bharat appears as the central hope of the world. There is growing global discourse that Bharat should lead the Global South. But is Bharat prepared for such a role? What ideas and plans does it possess to provide leadership? What can the world gain from Bharat, itself an emerging economy, that would inspire acceptance?
First, Bharat must prepare itself intellectually and mentally—not only to become prosperous and strong, but also to serve as a coordinating and cooperative global leader. Swami Vivekananda envisioned leadership rooted in character and conduct. After the COVID –19 pandemic, the President of Papua New Guinea touched the feet of Prime Minister Modi at an airport, acknowledging Bharat’s assistance during hardship. Such acts reflect Bharat’s soft power, a form of influence not yet fully trusted or utilised by any nation. While the world often runs on hard power, Bharat can demonstrate the unifying force of soft power. When Swami Vivekananda went to Chicago in 1893, he represented a colonised nation with a tarnished image. At just 30 years of age, without any official position, he nevertheless captured the global imagination through the power of ideas. What an individual achieved then can be accomplished by a nation today.
Bharat is currently a 4.2 trillion dollar economy, the world’s fourth largest. It lags behind the US, China, and Europe in many respects. Yet its true strength lies in its soft power—its ideas, conduct, respect for all nations, readiness to assist those in distress. Yoga, Ayurveda, world-class healthcare systems, food security, and health services are among humanity’s greatest needs, and Bharat is uniquely positioned in these domains. Above all stands the 10,000-year-old ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world as one family. If Bharat pursues prosperity at home while simultaneously promoting global cooperation, harmony, and fraternity, it can succeed. Supporting global humanity, strengthening morale, and inspiring nations to stand together against coercive powers requires bold thinking. Such a vast responsibility cannot be left solely to governments. While governments play a crucial role, their capacity is limited by political pressures and administrative burdens. Nationalist and global organisations committed to the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, along with dedicated individuals and institutions, must jointly prepare to fulfil this divine responsibility. Europe, which led the world until the 18th century, is now exhausted. The US, the leader of the 20th century, is in decline and increasingly a source of instability. China lacks the philosophical foundations of unity in diversity and integral humanism. Only Bharat possesses this wealth of ideas and historical experience.
Bharat must therefore accept this civilisational and natural responsibility and prepare fully for global cooperation and leadership. Nationalist institutions and individuals must first internalise the thought: “This task is ours.” Once this begins, roles, paths, and plans will naturally emerge. If Bharat does not assume this responsibility, the vacuum will not remain empty. The world will turn to another, potentially undesirable leadership. The choice is clear: lead or follow. The need of the hour is deep reflection and decisive action.
