US President Trump rejects international law in favor of national interests

US President Donald Trump has stated that he does not need international law to guide his foreign policy decisions, instead relying on his own morality. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Trump said that only his “own morality” can curb the aggressive policies he is pursuing globally.

Trump’s comments come after the US launched an early-morning attack on Venezuela, which resulted in the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro. Critics argue that this action violates the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against a state’s territorial integrity or political independence.

The UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, has expressed concern that Trump’s statements dismissing international law are “extremely dangerous”. She warned that degrading international laws may embolden Washington’s adversaries to launch their own acts of aggression.

Satterthwaite stated that international law is essential for maintaining global stability and preventing atrocities. She noted that the world has seen instances where efforts to stop human rights abuses have failed, but emphasized the importance of upholding existing international laws.

Experts have warned that disregarding international law could have severe consequences for the global community, including the US. Yusra Suedi, an assistant professor of international law at the University of Manchester, cautioned against the notion that “might is right” and the trend towards disregarding international law.

The Trump administration has stated its intention to cooperate with interim President Delcy Rodriguez in Venezuela, but also plans to dictate policy to the interim government. The US has repeatedly threatened military action if its demands are not met.

Trump’s comments have sparked concerns about his approach to foreign policy, which some see as a return to an “age of imperialism”.

Source: Al Jazeera