FEAR & GREED | Business News Q+A: Has Donald Trump delivered, one year on?
Jan 19, 2026
Dr. Charles Miller, a Senior Lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations, dives into the impacts of Donald Trump's second presidency. He evaluates Trump's mixed legacy, cautioning against attributing stock market highs to him while discussing the complexities of U.S.-Venezuela relations. Miller highlights Trump's Jacksonian foreign policy approach and the unpredictability of his decisions. He also expresses concerns over tariffs and national security risks, asserting that allies are hesitant to break from the U.S. despite challenges.
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Military Success Needs Political Follow‑Through
- The Maduro capture operation was well executed, but planning for the aftermath appears lacking.
- Miller warns seizure success doesn't guarantee political outcomes without a follow-up strategy.
Jacksonian, Not Isolationist
- Miller classifies Trump as a Jacksonian, not an isolationist Jeffersonian, acting when US interests require it.
- This explains selective interventions focused on the Western Hemisphere rather than global alliance-building.
Power Moves That Could Be Diplomatic
- Ambitions like Greenland reflect hemispheric dominance and often could be achieved diplomatically.
- Miller suggests some presidential moves are puzzling and driven by personal or political quirks.