P
ProfRem
Guest
Americans are going to elect their 45th president through the polling on 8 November, 2016. A contest between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Result would be any – Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.
Here are ways the US election outcome may affect Nigeria and Nigerians:
1. Bilateral relationship: For Nigeria, it would be the usual diplomacy, maybe an increase in aid here and there, because of the Democratic Party principles, but there will not be much aggression in terms of foreign policy. Under Clinton there is not likely to be a war path, unlike if, for example Donald Trump is elected.
A quick look at Donald Trump for Nigeria and Africa would most likely be disastrous mainly because he does not think much of Africans, if what he says about Africans is anything to go by. He seems to think Africans are lazy and prone to too much indulgence.
2. Candidates' Idea towards Africa: The African continent has barely if not never been mentioned by either candidate during the campaign time. Whoever wins will have many other priorities and will not spend much time developing Nigeria and other commercial ties with Africa.
Even so, the next president will have to make choices on trade, aid and security that will affect millions of lives across Africa. There is certainly more scope for drastic – and perhaps destructive – change under Trump, the renegade Republican candidate.
In practice, the differences between the candidates on Africa policy are probably smaller than they appear.
3. Trade and Investment: The next president decides which countries receive duty-free and quota-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). African leaders will be reassured by Clinton’s frequent praise for the legislation, and concerned by Trump’s pledge to scrap trade deals that hurt American manufacturers.
The United States is Nigeria's greatest trading partner and is undeniably its most important among top buyer of Nigerian Crude and a Donald Trump Presidency may not go down well with country struggling with daily production over the intense militant attacks in the oil rich region of Niger Delta
4. Foreign Aids: Investing in People" is the top U.S. foreign assistance priority in Nigeria. The U.S. ability to help Nigeria combat public health shortcomings contributes directly to good governance, societal stability, economic growth, and confidence in U.S. concern for the well-being of the Nigerian people. During the election build up, Clinton often emphasises the ‘soft power’ value of aid. US aid to Africa might fluctuate a little during her presidency, new measures on transparency would probably be introduced, but a fundamental shift in approach is hard to foresee. On the other hand, cuts to the $7.1bn package that the US plans to deliver to Africa next year would chime with Trump’s populist rhetoric.
5. Immigration: In an exclusive by Business Insider, the policy gap between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is unprecedented, particularly when it comes to one of the most controversial issues in this election cycle — US immigration reform.
Trump is determined to a build a wall and potentially deport some immigrants living in the US illegally, while Clinton has pledged to protect some undocumented immigrants from deportation and help them integrate into American society.
Experts from all sides of the immigration debate have criticized both candidates' plans to varying degrees. Some have cast Trump's proposals as "un-American"and Clinton's as "undermining”
While Clinton's idea will give nod to illegal Nigerian immigrants in the United States, Donald Trump presidency will say otherwise, hence, the decision is right on the thump on every American citizens.
Here are ways the US election outcome may affect Nigeria and Nigerians:
1. Bilateral relationship: For Nigeria, it would be the usual diplomacy, maybe an increase in aid here and there, because of the Democratic Party principles, but there will not be much aggression in terms of foreign policy. Under Clinton there is not likely to be a war path, unlike if, for example Donald Trump is elected.
A quick look at Donald Trump for Nigeria and Africa would most likely be disastrous mainly because he does not think much of Africans, if what he says about Africans is anything to go by. He seems to think Africans are lazy and prone to too much indulgence.
2. Candidates' Idea towards Africa: The African continent has barely if not never been mentioned by either candidate during the campaign time. Whoever wins will have many other priorities and will not spend much time developing Nigeria and other commercial ties with Africa.
Even so, the next president will have to make choices on trade, aid and security that will affect millions of lives across Africa. There is certainly more scope for drastic – and perhaps destructive – change under Trump, the renegade Republican candidate.
In practice, the differences between the candidates on Africa policy are probably smaller than they appear.
3. Trade and Investment: The next president decides which countries receive duty-free and quota-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). African leaders will be reassured by Clinton’s frequent praise for the legislation, and concerned by Trump’s pledge to scrap trade deals that hurt American manufacturers.
The United States is Nigeria's greatest trading partner and is undeniably its most important among top buyer of Nigerian Crude and a Donald Trump Presidency may not go down well with country struggling with daily production over the intense militant attacks in the oil rich region of Niger Delta
4. Foreign Aids: Investing in People" is the top U.S. foreign assistance priority in Nigeria. The U.S. ability to help Nigeria combat public health shortcomings contributes directly to good governance, societal stability, economic growth, and confidence in U.S. concern for the well-being of the Nigerian people. During the election build up, Clinton often emphasises the ‘soft power’ value of aid. US aid to Africa might fluctuate a little during her presidency, new measures on transparency would probably be introduced, but a fundamental shift in approach is hard to foresee. On the other hand, cuts to the $7.1bn package that the US plans to deliver to Africa next year would chime with Trump’s populist rhetoric.
5. Immigration: In an exclusive by Business Insider, the policy gap between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is unprecedented, particularly when it comes to one of the most controversial issues in this election cycle — US immigration reform.
Trump is determined to a build a wall and potentially deport some immigrants living in the US illegally, while Clinton has pledged to protect some undocumented immigrants from deportation and help them integrate into American society.
Experts from all sides of the immigration debate have criticized both candidates' plans to varying degrees. Some have cast Trump's proposals as "un-American"and Clinton's as "undermining”
While Clinton's idea will give nod to illegal Nigerian immigrants in the United States, Donald Trump presidency will say otherwise, hence, the decision is right on the thump on every American citizens.