Trump’s inauguration – continuing US imperialism’s decline

Written by: Central Committee, CPA (M-L) on 20 January 2025

The US Presidential election was won by the Republican Party's Donald Trump. Trump's campaign was financially supported by key sections of the US ruling class including finance capital, arms industry, some sections of the fossil fuel and gas monopolies, and information technology.

Trump paraded as the champion of the working class battling rising cost of living, unemployment and homelessness. His appeal to some sections of the working class and small business was that he blamed the “establishment”, represented by the Democrats, and scapegoated "illegal" migrants and China as the cause of their problems. Unlike the Democrats, Trump trumpeted that he would round up "illegals" and send them back over the US - Mexican border and place a 60% tariff on imported Chinese goods. This would "Make America Great Again".

The US working people do not see the Democrats as providing an alternative to the increasingly difficult economic and social security issues they are experiencing.

The very phrase "Make America Great Again" is in its own words recognition that the US empire has been in decline for decades and the election policies of Trump reflect the desperation of a declining imperialist power.

Trump is supporting or progressing the movement towards fascism rhetorically in his support for authoritarian policies and the people he is putting in positions of power.

This is a logical progression for the ruling class of an imperialist power in decline. There is growing realisation that they can no longer operate under the guise of bourgeois democracy and will increase attacks on the working class and those who represent them.

What does the election of Trump as US President mean for the working people and First Nations people of Australia?

US imperialism's rivalry with the rising economically more powerful Chinese social imperialism will intensify, especially on the military front. The new Trump administration will continue the US - Australia Alliance to its advantage and demand that the Australian Government (whether Labor or Liberal) continues to lock Australia in as its launching pad and Deputy Sherriff in the Asia Pacific region.

On the economic front, US corporations will continue to dominate the Australian key economic sectors, including defence, mining of rare earth minerals and finance. In the event that Trump imposes significant tariffs on some goods imported from China into the USA, that decision will be made without any consideration by the Trump administration for any negative impact on the Australian economy and more importantly on the working people of Australia.
In the likely event of intensified rivalry between the US and China under the new Trump administration, the US - Australia Alliance and the increasing presence of US land and naval bases in Australia will make Australia a military target.

In essence the presence of Trump as President of the US will intensify the rivalry between a declining imperialist power and a rising social-imperialist power.

The new situation will inevitably see a rising tide of struggle by First Nations people and working people. It will provide significant opportunities for advancing struggle for an independent, socialist Australia and end white Australia's long history of subservience to colonial and imperialist powers.

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