AMERICA has finally done a course correction the world was waiting for by snatching control of the House of Representatives and Senate from President Mr. Donald Trump’s Republican party and handing it over to the Democratic party. The mid-term election result has handed Mr. Trump a severe setback even as the Democrats have spread their reach in seemingly impregnable citadels of the Republicans. The mid-term polls have weakened Mr. Trump’s last two years of Presidency but at the same time have raised concerns about his recklessness rising to dangerous levels in the future.

 

The mid-term elections were seen as the ultimate mood-gauger of the common Americans. They were clearly getting tired of the President’s nonsensical foreign policy and adventurism. All these had come back to bite the American economy and the general public was clearly frustrated with the rising cost of living due to Mr. Trump’s stupid actions. By rising against the Republicans even in their age-old stronghold constituencies, the Americans have conveyed a message to both the parties about taking a balanced approach while going forward in the next elections. There are many takeaways from the mid-term elections for the US as well as the world. By flipping many States held by Republicans, the voters have shown that political stability for a party is directly related to their own happiness and not to the personal agenda of a strongman.

 

The Americans had started to realise that the tactics used by Mr. Trump were more to benefit his family and friends and not always in the interest of the United States. The crypto deals in the Gulf, critical minerals in Pakistan, the hot-and-cold blowing during the Iran war were all linked to swelling the President’s personal wealth. In the last one year alone, Mr. Trump’s personal wealth grew by USD 2.2 billion. The voters were unhappy when these details started emerging and they did not forgive him. Other reasons behind the drubbing for Mr. Trump is the ill-advised war with Iran. It was an action started without weighing the pros and cons and subsequently the war exposed American fragility on both military and economic fronts. Despite the President’s bluster about decimating Iran in one strike, the war has lingered on for eight long months causing severe disruption in the world. Rising fuel prices and growing cost of living were byproducts of the senseless war and the US voters have punished Mr. Trump for the illogical gamble. It will be really interesting to see how Mr. Trump takes this defeat.

 

In his typical style he has blamed many factors for the loss but has also shown willingness to work with the Democrats in the remaining term. The results have clearly clipped his wings in the Congress as he would not bulldoze his decisions any more. However, Mr. Trump still has the power of executive orders which won’t need legislative sanction. Moreover, he still has two months till the new Parliament becomes operational. This period is a tricky phase for the entire world as analysts are fearing drastic actions like a nuclear strike on Iran. Though traditionally Presidents losing control of the Congress have turned to diplomacy, it is unlikely that Mr. Trump would follow the same path. The world might see a more dangerous POTUS in the coming days as the legislature can only stop the war funds but not his executive powers of starting a war and continuing with the already sanctioned funds. In effect, the mid-term results are set to have an impact on the entire world but not immediately. It would be in the interest of countries like India to wait and watch events unfolding in Washington. India has big stakes in the US in every sector. A trade deal with the US is in the final phase while the era of tariffs and trade war is still not over. India will do well to go slow on the negotiations as the adverse results will weaken Washington’s position. New Delhi will also need to prepare well for another fuel shocker if the West Asia crisis escalates. A hurt and humiliated leader in the White House is a new danger.