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Ammon News - Imad Darwish - The outcomes of the US presidential elections featuring candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have recently been revealed, with Republican candidate Donald Trump emerging victoriously to assume the White House for a second term following considerable commotion regarding his candidacy and election efforts. Maybe his triumph this time differs from the last as today he possesses considerable experience and knowledge, along with the capabilities to handle the electoral process with greater professionalism. Undoubtedly, the declaration of Trump's triumph for a presidential term is the first to be echoed, so to speak, or we might view the prior attempt as nothing more than a presidential trial run for an American individual who spent his life outside the political arena and is now facing the experience once more. With his win, he now has the right to seek a second presidential term under the US Constitution, making him the first American president to reside in the White House three times, instead of just once or twice.

Following his anticipated victory, attributed to numerous factors not worth detailing—such as the underwhelming performance of the rival candidate both in the election campaign and during her time as Vice President of the United States—the Jordanian person began to speculate about the future of Jordanian-American relations.

In summary, with Donald Trump regaining the presidency, Jordanian-American relations are anticipated to experience shifts shaped by his political priorities, particularly concerning the Middle East.

Trump is expected to enhance alliances with the Gulf states and Israel to counter Iranian influence in the region, potentially impacting regional support and collaboration strategies. Jordan might face a delicate situation, particularly if regional tensions grow, pushing it to take definitive stances against Iran, which could disrupt its historically neutral stance among neighboring countries.

One of the most critical questions that Jordanians need to consider is how much economic support will continue and whether there will be new conditions attached to it.

We note that during Trump's first term, there was already pressure to cut aid to nations that oppose his administration's policies; consequently, his new administration might establish economic or political conditions linked to aid.

In the opposite corner of the reflection, the Palestinian issue and its influence on Jordan become evident, as Trump openly backed Israeli policies throughout his initial term, shown in his proclamation of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the unveiling of the "Deal of the Century." Should this trend continue, Jordan might struggle to manage these policies, particularly concerning the Hashemite stewardship of the sacred sites. Jordan might encounter internal public pressure to resist any actions that threaten Palestinian rights.

Regarding security collaboration and the fight against terrorism, Jordan is a robust partner in the battle against terrorism, and the United States is anticipated to further enhance this collaboration.

The Trump administration might prioritize enhancing security stability in the area, and this collaboration could be one of the ongoing areas of agreement, particularly if security issues along the Jordanian border continue.

One of the most crucial questions to be addressed, stemming from past interactions with the former resident of the White House, Trump, is how Jordan will adjust to the “America First” policy. This slogan has been championed by Trump for years, raising concerns about its viability amid the evolving global and regional landscape. Factors now in play include the war in Gaza and Lebanon, the change in Iran’s presidency, the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and numerous other shifts under the banner of “America First.” The Trump administration might urge Jordan to seek alternative sources of support, particularly if U.S. aid diminishes. This pressure might prompt Jordan to improve collaboration with other nations, both regional and global, to lessen reliance on American assistance and pursue new economic alliances.

In conclusion, although Jordanian-American relations are based on a long history of cooperation, Trump’s victory may impose a new reality that Jordan needs to deal with carefully and flexibly. The priorities will be to maintain economic and security support with the Trump administration, while strengthening Jordan’s independent policies on regional issues to ensure its internal stability and flexibility in the face of international changes.