The International Department understands that the unfortunate victory of Trump will create a more aggressive anti-communist and pro-capital foreign policy in our global community. With Trump, not only will we have the continuing economic policies of neoliberalism and imperialism attacking progressive forces world-wide, but also a general political uncertainty stemming from impulsive foreign relations that are equally tied to Trump’s fragile ego as well as his shameless support for the privilege of capital.

The international workers movement, already under attack, will likely enter a new era of increased class struggle, especially in countries singled out as enemies by MAGA and the ultra-right, including China, Iran, Cuba, Palestine, Venezuela, and others. Like the oppressed minorities of this country, the racist Trump assigns a symbolic value to those countries as the “enemy” in order to harness false patriotism and nationalism to gain blind support from the people of the United States. While nationalism is the ideological tool used by fascists, its objective use is to divide workers and provide political cover for a new wave of U.S. imperialism globally. Because we are internationalists, it is our duty and responsibility to oppose imperialism by any country — our own in the first place, wherever it shows up. The struggle against imperialism is the struggle against capitalism. They are one and the same.

Trump inherits a foreign policy that is fully immersed in the neoliberal project and begins his term with an anxious United States where its perceived unrivaled hegemony appears to be unraveling. This positioning of the U.S.A. as a weakening supreme world power, with an incoming administration that seeks to put “America First,” is a very dangerous situation.

The ongoing conflict with socialist-oriented China is especially alarming. Not only has an increased military presence in the Western Pacific stoked hostility, but the relentless separatist agitation with regard to Taiwan (in violation of the One China policy, which the U.S. claims to acknowledge) has created a volatile situation. Trump’s threat of imposing 100% tariffs against imports from China will further this hostility and result in higher prices for the U.S. working class. As the negative effects of the tariffs are felt in both the U.S. and China, a much more material form of conflict could arise, leading to a trade war and global recession.

For Cuba, the Trump victory is particularly devastating. The hope of getting Cuba off the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and ending the blockade seems lost, as it was Trump who put them on the list in the first place, and as his incoming Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is the paramount anti-communist zealot in the U.S. Senate. The future of Cuban socialism depends on the world-wide solidarity movement now more than ever. We encourage all CPUSA members to commit to follow the call in the resolution on Cuba solidarity from the last convention and make it a priority to protect the Cuban Revolution.

On Palestine, Trump has made it clear he will heighten U.S. support for Israel. In fact, Trump has shown no sympathy for Palestine. Instead, he has made racist and violent comments about the Palestinian people and alluded that Netanyahu should completely destroy Gaza quickly.

However, with all the disappointing domestic news and anxiety of what is to come, there is much to be encouraged by, both here in our party and internationally. The steady growth of the world Communist movement, both in number and in stature, is a fundamental element of the resistance to this rise in far-right populism and neo-facism.

World Communist movement

We have seen continuing electoral gains by fraternal Communist parties across the globe. In several countries — including Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Spain, and Columbia — the Communist Party is part of the governing coalitions in their country. Other fraternal parties participate in the opposition in their national parliaments, with some holding a significant number of seats, including the Belgians, French, Cypriots, Greeks, Japanese, Portuguese, and both fraternal parties in India, among others. The general secretary of our fraternal party in Nepal, the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist, is the Prime Minister of the country and continues to win elections using their strategy of “People’s Multiparty Democracy.”

Other parties around the world guide massive labor movements that have led the way in resistance to their country’s right wing forces. Most notably, the ongoing Indian farmer strikes partnered with the CPI(M), and the movement against the fascist National Rally in France was led by that country’s General Confederation of Labour, in alliance with the French Communist Party.

Another recent development is the addition of two new Communist parties from Africa to the International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties and Solidnet — the Communist Party of Swaziland and the Communist Party of Kenya. These two parties are deeply involved in the class struggle in their respective countries and have already made significant impacts in their brief histories.

But probably the most important development in our world movement is the massive growth in the Communist youth movement across the globe. Young people are joining Communist parties en masse and making the choice to resist neo-liberalism and imperialism, and to fight toward revolutionary change.

One final important recent development in Mexico is the election of a left-wing president, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman and first Jewish president in its history, who’s leading a democratic revolution on our southern border.

Our work in the International Department is centered on building and growing Communist internationalism through solidarity with our fraternal parties. The International Department recognizes that while the class struggle takes different forms in relation to each nation’s unique history and development, resistance to capitalism and the construction of a socialist future requires a network of international coordination, solidarity, and friendship. Our International Department joins the call to end weapons shipments to Israel, an end to the genocide against the Palestinian people, and for a Palestinian state.

We continue to support our mission through ongoing exchanges, including the Hello Comrade Project, participation in the International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties, educational webinars, correspondence with fraternal parties, and drafting statements on international issues. We also coordinate with our fraternal parties in Cuba and Vietnam on ongoing solidarity projects.

A new initiative we are developing is a platform where the International Department can schedule zoom meetings with Districts to explain how the international communist movement works and answer questions on international issues. If any districts want to invite us, we are happy to set up the meetings!

Image: Young Communists in Colombia march on May Day in 2019 by Partido Comunista Colombiano (Facebook); Communist Party members in Kenya march in solidarity with Palestine by Communist Party Marxist CPM – Kenya (X); Communist Party members march with farmers and workers in India by CPIM (X)

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