All POTUS travel around the globe to spread US influence and values, promote US interests, and make connections with other people and nations in an ever shrinking world. The American people generally benefit from the good will established by our leader when he visits foreign lands and is welcomed as a positive force. Since WWII, the US and its POTUS have been embraced and celebrated, except on rare occasions, as the symbol of the free world.
After a bellicose Bush regime antagonized some areas of the world, President Obama's travels generated warm, in many cases jubilant, welcomes throughout the world. While in office, Obama and the world renewed partnerships and we thrived, recovering from a disastrous recession that threatened the globe. So did the rest of the world.
Trump is determined to be the anti-Obama, seeking to reverse and erase all things done by his predecessor. His travels throughout the world have not been as well-received and he has made no bones about "America First." The notable exceptions are when he travels to authoritarian, autocratic and dictatorial countries, places where he lavishes praise on their leaders and is welcomed as royalty. The latest example is Trump's visit to the troops in Iraq, where he made no effort to meet with Iraqi leaders, who told him to keep out in the future.
Which approach will have better over-all results for the future of America in a world where it is increasingly difficult to "go it alone?"
