Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh stated that the United States continues to dominate global energy markets, with alternative energy yet to become accessible worldwide. He also claimed that the U.S. stands as the primary economic beneficiary of global military conflicts, which stimulate demand for its defense industry and strengthen its economy.

In an interview with Radio Monte Carlo International, Sayegh discussed the impact of Donald Trump’s recent election as U.S. President and the global shifts it could bring. He emphasized that the current environment differs significantly from Trump’s previous term, as changes in the global economy and international conditions could alter his influence on the global stage. He added that the U.S. economy remains heavily reliant on public trust, a factor underpinning its resilience.

Sayegh described a concerning global trend in which power and responsibility are concentrated among a few key actors, potentially allowing leaders to operate without accountability due to the anticipated Republican dominance of Congress and the federal judiciary. He suggested that this setup could last at least two years and could usher in a global adaptation to diminishing democratic standards. Trump’s relative freedom from traditional checks and balances, he said, has both positive and negative implications, including swift but potentially pragmatic compromises based more on power dynamics than ethical values, with profitability being the guiding principle in the early stages.

“My concern is that there’s no mechanism for balancing, monitoring, or holding accountable this emerging global system. We need to consider the prospect of a multipolar world," he pointed out.

The lawmaker argued that the U.S., under the Democrats, has historically benefited from foreign wars through increased demand for military production, which in turn generates jobs. As Republicans take the helm, he believes they will double down on industrial investment and defense spending to fortify the economy. However, they will face dual challenges: advancing the defense sector while addressing trade issues and controlling inflation.

“The American economy is built on trust,” Sayegh noted, pointing to the financial markets’ positive reaction to Trump’s election. 

When asked about global democratic backsliding, Sayegh observed that democracy is facing setbacks globally, from China to Russia, to Europe and Lebanon, with democratic values increasingly under threat. He warned that Trump’s leadership could reshape America’s deep state, with a form of centralized governance reminiscent of authoritarian regimes in China and Russia. Nevertheless, Sayegh suggested that this decision-making model might facilitate rapid international agreements among leaders who share a pragmatic approach.

“They would understand each other under the banner of shared interests,” he said.

Turning to Lebanon’s position on the global stage, Sayegh emphasized that despite its small size, Lebanon remains strategically important, holding a role that cannot be easily disregarded. He noted that the recent war has widened cultural rifts within the region, a divide that could take considerable time to mend.

Sayegh also highlighted the challenging task Trump faces in addressing tensions in Lebanon and Palestine, drawing parallels with historical figures who have sought peace, including Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, Pope John Paul II, and Trump himself. He noted that Israel’s destructive actions toward Lebanon lack a coherent political strategy.

“This is both a puzzle and a potential solution,” Sayegh explained, suggesting that Trump might be able to curb Israel’s actions and work toward a just peace in the Middle East. He suggested that Trump’s credibility could even allow for direct negotiations with Iran, backed by a willingness to exert significant pressure.

In response to a question on Europe’s position, Sayegh concluded that NATO and the European Union are facing a major crisis in handling the situation in Ukraine. According to him, Europe has no alternative but to take an autonomous stance and establish itself in an increasingly multipolar world.