The Blurred Lines Between Trump Business
and Foreign Policy
In the United
States, there are many established statutes and laws that regulate the ethical
behavior of elected officials regarding issues of conflict of interest. An
elected official with significant business enterprises could be promulgating
legislation and favoring certain groups in order to advance their personal
financial interests. In 2016, the election of Donald J. Trump presented an
extraordinary issue, as his multimillion dollar Trump Organization operates
numerous properties and businesses around the world. Instead of putting his
business assets into a blind trust, as customarily done by many previous
presidents, Trump decided to place ownership of his organization in the hands
of his children for the duration of his presidency. The unconventionality of
the Trump administration and their disregard of constitutional legislation
arises concerns about the interdependence of Trump business and United States
foreign policy.
On Monday, Donald
Trump Jr. traveled to India to promote the new residential Trump Towers constructed
in three major cities. Although the Trump Organization is contentious
domestically, it is very well received by the Indian upper-class population and
is developing a greater stake hold in the country’s business affairs. The business
trip will consist of meetings with prospective clientele and real estate
brokers to further develop their market in the country. In promoting their
properties, there were advertisements displayed throughout the country stating,
“Trump has arrived. Have you?” Moreover, there have been numerous claims that
the Trump Organization has offered Indian property buyers the opportunity to
dine and converse with Donald Trump Jr. for a significant booking fee. Donald
Trump Jr. is capitalizing his status as the president’s son to sell properties,
influence Indian governmental affairs, and unofficially serve as the
“go-between” between the Indian elite and the White House.
In addition to
promotional events, Donald Trump Jr. will be giving a speech at the Global
Business Summit regarding Indo-Pacific Relations in the presence of Indian
governmental officials and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The intersection of
business and foreign policy is blatantly clear and encourages the
intertwinement of private business ties and the promulgation of policy.
Although Donald Trump Jr. does not hold an official position in the White
House, it is difficult to truly ascertain that his influence does not extend to the
affairs of the presidency.
The developing
business ties with India’s elite is concerning because the Trump Organization
is negotiating with individuals that most likely have an influence in state
affairs. Through the purchase of a Trump property and close interactions with
the president’s son, many Indian elite may be capitalizing on the opportunity
to promote certain political policy.
Trump’s presidency
does not seem to be affecting the success of his businesses overseas. If
anything, the atypical president’s reputation has seemed to encourage his
supporters in the international community to further patronize his various golf
courses, hotel chains, and products. In days following the 2016 election, the
Embassies of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have paid
to stay at the Trump Hotel location in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, the country
of Saudi Arabia paid over $270,000[1]
to the Trump Organization while lobbying to eradicate a piece of legislation
that would allow the families of 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi government over
its alleged support of the terrorists. It could be argued that the intentional
patronization of a Trump Hotel was an effort by the Saudis to placate the
president and gain his support.
Since taking
office, President Trump and his organization’s actions have been rebuked by
many legal scholars and four lawsuits have been filed against him. The
internationalized nature of the Trump Organization is complex, as it appears
that many foreign policy decisions are also contingent on his business
ties.
In the realm of
foreign policy, it is difficult to understand the extent to which personal motives
drive policy decisions. Nevertheless, the discernible overlap of business and
foreign policy is concerning as it undermines the democratic process and the
integrity of our nation’s highest institutions. The ability of a foreign entity
to purchase an advantageous policy that directly benefits the personal finances
of our president or any elected official should not be tolerated. It tarnishes
the United States’ reputation in the international community, discourages
international collaboration and trust, and can be harmful to domestic economics
and politics in both countries.
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