From Gaza to tariffs, Donald Trump’s chaotic actions should instil fear in us all | Letters

Much like Arwa Mahdawi, I felt “oddly sanguine” immediately after Donald Trump’s election (I didn’t think Trump’s second act would be that bad. Oh, how wrong I was, 5 February). My teenage daughter begging me to take shooting lessons “so we have protection because you are an immigrant”, and asking me “What if they take away your citizenship? Does that mean they will take mine away too?”, ended that feeling pretty quickly. I explained to her that it was very hard to “denaturalise” a citizen and that I would never be buying a firearm (at least I hope I don’t feel forced into this).

I live and work in a small city with lots of refugees, immigrants and international students, and we are all scared. I am now carrying my US passport and social security card with me everywhere I go. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been here, and the Department of Justice is already threatening to prosecute a local sheriff.

The first Trump term was traumatic, but now the wheels are well and truly off the bus and we are careening down a steep cliff. That a non-elected billionaire is running around DC with seemingly unchecked power, a former reality show personality is in charge of transportation, a woman with zero educational credentials will be confirmed as education secretary and a man with zero healthcare experience will be making decisions about the health and wellbeing of all Americans should instil fear and anger in us all.

The Democrats have once again shown themselves to be spineless, the majority having caved to the whims of this narcissist and his cabal of maniacs and sycophants.
Joanne Kennedy
Lansing, New York, US

With Donald Trump withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization, the Paris climate agreement, the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR) and its main agency serving Palestinians, Unrwa, and with the dismantling of USAid, the US has effectively resigned its role as world leader.

The question for those of us living in countries with no hope (or desire) to replace the US is whether this is the declaration of a job vacancy or a voluntary redundancy presaging a restructuring.

If the former, there is only one candidate: China. If the latter, countries with significant diplomatic capability and soft power need to start creating a vision of a multipolar future that gives due weight to southern hemisphere countries that have had their voices drowned out. Every threat is also an opportunity.
Paul Sawbridge
Ealing, London

As a Canadian expat, may I ask where is the Commonwealth’s support for Canada in the midst of these trade threats (Trump agrees to postpone Canada and Mexico tariffs by one month, 3 February)? The Commonwealth bangs on about how relevant and vital it is, but hasn’t said boo about the tariffs or the taunts to annex Canada. Like everyone else, it is sucking up to Donald Trump.
Jane Braithwaite
Bristol

In light of this week’s news (UN chief warns against ‘ethnic cleansing’ after Trump’s Gaza proposal, 5 February), with fear and loathing regarding Trump’s interests, I remember this headline from the Guardian on 19 March 2024: “Jared Kushner says Gaza’s ‘waterfront property could be very valuable’.”
Susan Ohanian
Charlotte, Vermont, US