No one should have been surprised when, on May 10, Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal. The decision is consistent with Trump's previous actions to opt out of the Paris Climate Accord and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

In that context, Trump believes he is honoring his campaign rhetoric to make "America great again." No one can accurately predict what long-term effects Trump's actions will have economically and politically. However, in the near term these actions will certainly negatively impact America's standing and influence within the international community.

First, we will no longer be viewed as a reliable partner in international agreements. Our commitments to addressing climate change, limiting nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, and fostering international trade will be questioned by our allies and adversaries.

Second, our ability to influence issues associated with climate change, the Iranian nuclear program, and international trade will be diminished since we will not have a formal presence in many forums and negotiations dealing with these issues.

Finally, we will be opening the door for our primary adversaries, China and Russia, to play a major role in the context of the TPP, climate change and the Iranian nuclear program. When you leave a power vacuum, others step in.

In the near term, Trump's actions will have a negative impact on our international stature and influence, and will not "make us great."

Don Steiner

Schenectady