Last March 4, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress, titled “The Renewal of the American Dream.” In his speech, President Trump vowed to impose high tariffs on major trading partners, eliminate subsidies for foreign semiconductor chipmakers who had set up operations in the United States, take over the Panama Canal and Greenland, implement tough anti-immigration policies, and seek the early resolution of key regional conflicts. President Trump argued that these measures would “Make America Great Again” by ending inflation, boosting employment, and contributing to national security. However, it remains questionable whether this will happen.

If President Trump really wants to make America great again, the first thing he should do is to restore America’s global leadership, which can be achieved by abandoning American-style unilateralism. Based on respect for and commitment to protecting the U.S.-led liberal international order, the United States should encourage the voluntary participation of allies and reclaim its status as a “values leader.” Only once it moves beyond short-term transactions and profit-seeking to embrace a long-term vision and sense of community can the United States prevent such risks and truly make America great again.