Standing on the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, you can’t help but notice the American Embassy’s grand facade. It’s a stark reminder that the political winds blowing from Washington DC reach our sunny island. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Trump regime, its impact, and a glimmer of hope for the future.

The Trump administration’s signature policy, the border wall, has become a symbol of division, not just in the US, but worldwide. In Malta, a country known for its welcoming spirit, this policy has been met with criticism. Local NGOs like the Malta Emigrants’ Commission have spoken out against it, arguing that it goes against our island’s history of migration and integration.

Malta, with its low-lying coastal areas, is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Yet, under Trump, the US withdrew from the Paris Agreement, the world’s most significant effort to combat climate change. Locally, this move has been seen as a step backwards, with environmental groups like Nature Trust Malta calling for more ambitious climate action.

The Trump administration’s policies on human rights have been controversial, to say the least. From the travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries to the family separation policy at the US-Mexico border, these actions have been widely condemned, including by Maltese politicians. In 2018, then-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carmelo Abela, publicly criticized the family separation policy, stating that it was “against all human values and principles”.

The Trump administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely criticized. The US has the highest number of cases and deaths worldwide. In Malta, where the pandemic has been largely controlled, Trump’s mismanagement has been a stark reminder of what can happen when leadership fails. Local health experts have praised Malta’s response, contrasting it with the US’s.

The Trump administration’s war on the press has been well-documented. In Malta, where press freedom is a cherished value, this attack has been watched with concern. The European Federation of Journalists has condemned Trump’s actions, stating that they “undermine the very foundations of democracy”. Locally, the Institute of Journalists Malta has echoed these concerns.

With the inauguration of Joe Biden, there’s a sense of hope that America’s role on the global stage will change. Locally, this sentiment is shared. “We hope to see a return to multilateralism and cooperation under the Biden administration,” says Dr. Roderick Pace, a political scientist at the University of Malta. “This could benefit Malta and the EU greatly.”