There are a lot of things to consider this election. Policies on education, foreign relations, gun control, economics and more have been spouted and refuted. Candidates make promises and tear each other down every day, but there is one topic that is being surprisingly overlooked.
Many decry Donald Trump’s attitude toward Russia, but it might actually be a golden opportunity. He just might be able to do what no other president could, and bridge the torn relationship between the two countries that has lasted for so long.
What it Would Mean
The relationship between the U.S. and Russia has been frosty since before the end of WWII. In the better part of a century, trade has opened between the two countries and they have partnered on a few specific endeavors, but in general they remain at odds in every international affair.
Establishing genuine, pre-Stalin levels of cooperation between the nation would herald an unprecedented partnership that would shift the globe, both geopolitically and economically.
Let’s look at politics first. A closer partnership between the U.S. and Russia could lead to an alliance of the two most powerful militaries the world has ever known. That brings levels of security to both nations that are otherwise impossible.
A united front between the two against foes like ISIS would be unstoppable, and we would see dramatic improvement on the jihadist’s movement meant to decimate both of our civilizations.
It would also generate hesitation among similar groups upon seeing such overwhelming force. The key to defeating global terrorism is in fact an unwavering and aggressive cooperation between the U.S. and Russia.
The changes don’t end with terrorism. With the United States dominant position in NATO, all of Europe would be inevitably dragged into this hypothetical relationship. Right now, NATO-Russian tensions are by far the biggest security threat throughout the continent, and Donald Trump just may be the key to resolving it, but security changes extend farther still.
While the U.S. can drag NATO into a more cooperative state, Russia can do the same with North Korea, China and Syria. Without the powerhouse backing them, these other states lose the confidence to continue to defy American policy. A Russian-American alliance could bring every nuclear power in the world into a first-time state of compliance and cooperation.
The politics is promising, but what about economics?
Right now, Russia has one of the largest economies in the world, in spite of severe sanctions from most of the developed countries in the world.
Relieving those sanctions and dramatically increasing trade between the U.S. and Russia would push them back to being a top five economy in a few short years.
While improved trade relationships further foster the hope of extended peace, they also open large market opportunities for U.S. investors. The biggest is oil. Increasing oil trade between the countries would sharply reduce U.S. dependency on Middle East oil, making the market more competitive and helping the currently struggling industry to recover.
Can it Actually Happen?
All of these benefits sound wonderful, but are they really just a pipe dream?
Actually, no. They’re quite achievable.
Trump has a long history of fostering positive relationships with Russia. He was successfully investing and trading in Moscow before the Berlin wall fell, and this year he has made huge progress toward having a Trump Tower in Russia’s capital city. He has been quoted saying that “a disproportionate cross-section” of investors and assets are tied to Russia.
In his decades of doing business in Russia, Trump has fostered personal relationships with a swath of the nation’s politicians and aristocracy. He is widely loved and largely appreciated, and frankly, his positive relationships with the country can be seen as a major and surprising success.
While tensions continue to rise between Russia and the west, Trump has overcome expectations and propaganda to remember that Russians are people too. This has certainly been an important part to developing the one relationship that truly makes cooperation attainable.
Trumps relationship with Putin can almost be described as a bromance. The two have traded compliments regularly all year, and while it might feel like and act or superficial, you can look below the surface for better understanding.
Putin won’t officially endorse a presidential candidate because of his position, but he has made it abundantly clear that he wouldn’t just prefer a Trump presidency, he welcomes it.
The two have already established a better relationship than any presidents of the two countries in history, and it would be quite easy for them to use that personal relationship to push their countries toward productive compromise and herald the golden age of cooperation that we have all wanted for so long.
Regards,
Ethan Warrick
Editor
Wealth Authority
