Myanmar Spring Chronicle – November 6 Perspective
(MoeMaKa) November 7, 2024
Why Did the Democrats Lose, and What Lies Ahead Under Trump?
On the night of November 5 in the United States (morning of November 6 in Asia), while votes were still being counted, Voice of America (VoA), a US government-backed media outlet, reported that Donald Trump had won the US presidential election. This confirmed what many suspected.
For Burmese Americans, democracy activists supporting Myanmar from within the United States, members of the National Unity Government, and other advocates, Trump’s win raised questions about how they view and interpret these events.
Trump is seen as a nationalist who prioritizes American interests, often over international cooperation. He has frequently argued against high military spending on NATO for European security, preferring to cut such expenditures. For Southeast Asia and specifically Myanmar, Trump’s policies raise concerns about his impact on Myanmar’s situation. While civil society and human rights groups dislike Trump, some individuals and ordinary citizens may support him, recognizing that his stance on Myanmar remains ambiguous.
For some American voters, frustrations over the Biden administration’s handling of the economy, immigration policies, and social concerns likely led to Trump’s victory. In matters of foreign policy, only a small portion of voters care deeply about international issues, which can impact voting decisions.
The Biden administration’s support of Ukraine—providing weapons, enacting economic sanctions against Russia, and coordinating with Western European allies—led to increased prices for fuel, gas, and essential goods, causing inflation in the US and Europe. From this perspective, Democratic President Biden appears to have prioritized international conflicts over domestic economic needs.
The Democrats, generally aligned with liberal democracy, support Israel in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Their stance, including substantial aid to Israel, has led to criticism, especially as student protests and pro-Palestinian demonstrations arose on college campuses. This contributed to Kamala Harris’s election loss and the surprising win of Trump, who faces over 30 criminal charges.
For Myanmar’s military regime, having a US president who cares less about Myanmar’s affairs may be reassuring, regardless of personal feelings toward Trump. While trade wars between the US and China may continue, Trump is unlikely to prioritize Myanmar’s democratic movement.
Nevertheless, some influential US Congress members will likely continue support for Myanmar, so major policy shifts are unlikely. However, Trump’s victory suggests that America may scale back on its involvement in global issues without direct interests.
For Myanmar’s activists and Spring Revolution supporters, this election’s outcome invites reflection on what lessons they can take away. While the Democrats may appear to have only talked the talk, Republicans might be viewed as pursuing victory at any cost. American journalists have suggested that it’s a time for re-evaluating and realigning one’s stance and approach in light of current events, calling this period a “Great Re-Alignment.”