How can we survive this madness coming from the North?

Survive We Must but we need to do more than survive! It is often said that when America sneezes, we catch a cold. The US appears to be doing more than sneezing and for us we can expect much more. After all, we are part of the Global Village and will be caught up in its different dynamics. Recently in one of my columns, I made note of the Canadian Prime Minister’s remarks at the World Economic Forum in which he made reference to the International Rules based order with the US as a central player. “We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.” He appeared to be singling out a role for Middle Powers in building a new order. Clearly, his remarks had President Trump as his target. This struck a responsive chord among foreign powers and also had an impact in the United States.

In Minnesota, US, we have recently been witnessing huge protests against the activities of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in what is part of America’s largest immigration crackdown, with protesters braving the cold temperatures calling for the removal of ICE agents, particularly after the death of two persons. At a local and National Musicians held concert to support families of the two persons who were shot, Bruce Springsteen, who had recently released a song dedicated to the city, “Streets of Minneapolis” was a specially invited guest.

“Against Smoke and Rubber Bullets, By the dawn’s early light; citizens stood for justice, Their voices ringing through the night; And there were bloody footprints, where mercy should have stood… We’ll take our stand for this land.” One report stated “the performance built slowly, sweat, grit and conviction pouring into each note until the final chorus hit and the crowd erupted -not in cheers alone, but something closer to release. It wasn’t framed as a protest, but it felt like one.” Minneapolis was not the only city where people were protesting against the president’s immigration policies that had gone much further than many expected. There was wide community support with assistance given to those persons afraid to leave their homes because of the activities of ICE and other federal agencies. Are we beginning to see the return of what we associated with the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam protests?

I had said in the past that Trump’s election to that high office will show us what America really is, for he was simply reflecting what many Americans felt especially about the immigration issue. Republicans in Congress gave him the green light to even usurp the power of Congress. We have recently been seeing a break in that Republican bond. True enough Congress had objected to some of the actions of the president which in their minds violated the constitution. Trump has moved beyond this and appears to want to stamp his image on the country. While many of his actions were taken to court, he simply resorted to others. Some judges have upheld his actions but there are many matters still outstanding.

The “John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” is now the “Donald Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” He is certainly no patron for the Arts! A recent decision to close the Centre for repairs seemed to have been a unilateral action taken by him. He has plans, according to the Washington Post, to install a Columbus Statue outside the White House. Would the US become a country shaped in every way by the dictates of Donald Trump? There are, fortunately, signs of a fight against his atrocities. He isn’t at the moment sitting well in the polls. At a recent Congressional election in Texas the Democrats secured victory in a district last won by the Democrats in 1992. In 2024 Trump won that district by 17 points. In 2026 the Dems won it by 15 points. Would the falling polls at this stage with the run-up to the mid-term elections force many Republicans to take a stand against his dictates? Trump at this point as the elections draw near is asking the Republicans to ‘nationalise’ voting, diminishing or removing what is the right of the States. Would the guard rails still prevail?

While the elephants fight and, in some cases, make love, would we in the Caribbean be simply trampled grass? Do we look at permanent friends or permanent interests? In our case is there a difference? With Caribbean populations in the US larger than those at home, and as we continue to depend on remittances where do we stand? The US President has set his eyes on the acquisition of Greenland, despite its membership in Nato. How do we manoeuvre these troubled waters? No one clearly has answers to this, but we have to survive and our action as a united front is more than ever needed. They have started using our relationship with Cuba as a weapon. Marco Rubio the Secretary of State with Cuban roots is determined to roast Cuba. He clearly wants us to break that relationship. Should we not do like our leaders of the 60’s stand firm on this, recognizing that Cuba is a Caribbean country with whom we have maintained for some time, a close relationship. We have to closely follow developments not only in the US but in Europe and elsewhere and see what space they allow us hopefully, as a united group, to not only to survive but to develop. We have to put on our specially made diplomatic hats!

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian