When the World Shakes from Trump’s Policies

Column: "The Equation that Spins the World"

By Dr. Sorawit Limopas Pulsawasd / March 2025

The world today spins much faster compared to the past. Technology and the influence of globalization are significant variables that undeniably play a crucial role in our daily lives. For instance, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quietly revolutionizing the world. Those who fail to keep up or are unwilling to adapt to these changes may unknowingly find themselves disadvantaged, missing opportunities, or becoming vulnerable members of society.

The accelerated pace of the world we inhabit often means we don't realize that events happening far away can affect us more profoundly and swiftly than we anticipate. Many believe that "politics is for politicians" or that "the policies of superpowers have no impact on our daily lives." However, every shift on the global political stage has reverberations that affect economies, societies, and environments worldwide, including small, seemingly tranquil communities like our beloved Khao Yai, tucked away on the world map.

One of the phenomena currently under daily global scrutiny is the policy of Donald Trump, the President of the United States, who has returned to the political arena for a second term. He is back with political and economic policies that are once again shaking the world.

Whether it's policies related to international trade, environmental cooperation, development, human rights, or energy, all are variables that could directly and indirectly impact the global structure we live within.

Yet, many still view these issues as distant, especially those residing in natural, peaceful areas far from the hustle and bustle of capital cities, like Khao Yai.

The question is... can we truly be certain that the changing global equation will not affect us? And how will we cope with the changes that are arriving at our doorstep in Khao Yai?

Development and Environmental Budgets are Being Cut. What About Us?

One of the first things Trump did upon assuming the presidency of the United States was to cut foreign aid budgets, arguing that "American taxpayers' money should be used at home." This was under the "America First" policy, which prioritizes American interests over international cooperation.

This policy has resulted in many foreign aid projects, previously funded by the US, facing budget cuts or complete cancellation. This includes global organizations working on environmental issues, public health, and development, such as USAID (United States Agency for International Development), an organization that provided extensive development assistance in developing countries, including projects for forest conservation and ecosystem preservation in Asia; WHO (World Health Organization), a public health organization that was supported by the US but from which Trump announced America's withdrawal (the US was previously a major funder, contributing one-fifth of its budget); and UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), an environmental cooperation framework from which the US withdrew, impacting environmental projects worldwide.

My own friends working in foundations, non-profit organizations, and NGOs that had consistently received funding from USAID have inevitably begun to feel the impact of Trump's new global equation and were caught off guard.

Some were permanently laid off, and some projects had to shut down abruptly. Many beneficiaries, such as scholarship students funded by USAID, had to suddenly stop their studies, pack their bags, leave their dorms, and return home, unsure of what to do next. These are all effects akin to a tsunami that struck the lives of Thai people, triggered by Trump within days of taking office.

Furthermore, on his first day in office, Trump announced that he would withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement for the second time. This idea and action go against the grain of international cooperation, where the world is striving to set targets to reduce the impact of global climate change, which is a critical issue. He also reduced environmental regulations and supported the use of fossil fuels to address problems and stimulate the American economy in the short term, potentially affecting the quality of life and global society in the long run.

Khao Yai is no exception...

In the past, USAID had projects supporting forest conservation in Southeast Asia, including projects to restore wildlife habitats, which affected important ecosystems in Thailand. Although Thailand does not primarily rely on foreign aid, these projects provided crucial support in promoting conservation in natural areas like Khao Yai National Park.

The question is… if this support disappears, how will we move forward? How much can we rely on ourselves if one day, the world's superpower no longer helps us? Or will Khao Yai and Thailand's natural areas become models of self-reliant conservation, independent of superpowers?

Gender Equality and Human Rights are Challenged

One of the policies that Trump and his party have consistently pushed for is the restriction of the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community (especially transgender individuals) through the enactment of laws and the appointment of individuals with conservative ideologies to key positions, impacting personal freedoms on various levels.

Most recently, after assuming office for his second term, Trump signed an executive order for the US to recognize only two genders, male and female. This directly affects official documents and the rights of citizens. He also signed an order banning transgender women from competing in women's sports.

Although this may seem like a domestic issue for America, global conservative trends often influence the thinking of other countries, including Thailand, which just celebrated the enactment of the same-sex marriage law that went into effect on January 23, 2025.

Personally, I have a dream and a strong belief that in the future, Khao Yai will become a world-renowned tourist destination, with increasing numbers of both Thai and international tourists visiting and residing in our community each year.

The question is… what kind of tourist destination do we want Khao Yai to be?

If global conservative trends regain influence, can Khao Yai remain a welcoming, open, and diverse city? If the rights of women and LGBTQ+ individuals continue to be eroded, can we still be a destination where all travelers, of all genders and ages, feel safe?

I believe that what is happening in America may not seem directly related to us, but the direction of the world and the new equation that Trump is writing can always change the way other countries think and legislate.

If one day, tourism in Thailand faces pressure from conservative ideologies, will we stand firm for the equality we have just celebrated, or will we allow conservative trends to lead us in the same direction as the rest of the world? The world is spinning in an uncertain direction, and which way will Khao Yai choose to go?

When the World Equation Spins, Do We Follow or Spin Against It?

Everything I have exemplified and questioned to provoke thought shows that everything that happens, though seemingly distant, reflects how global politics and the decisions of powerful world leaders can change the direction of the world and our daily lives in an instant, inevitably. What we think is far away may affect us sooner than expected, not just economically, politically, or diplomatically, but also in terms of our lifestyles and livelihoods.

Although we cannot control Trump's policies, I believe we have the power to shape our own future.

We cannot avoid the fact that America, Russia, and China seem to be joining hands to divide a large cake on the table. Thailand is merely a single strawberry on the cake that they are dividing and choosing to eat (or discard).

Even though Khao Yai is an area rich in resources valuable to Thailand, it is still just a small forest community, a tiny fragment on the world map.

Of course, determining the direction of global change may not be in our hands, but I firmly believe that what is in our hands is the "choice" we make for our Khao Yai community to be a small but mighty chili pepper that can show the world that "we also have our own equation."

We may not be able to control which way the world turns… but we can choose where we stand once it has turned.

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