A recent trip to Egypt showed me how Trump is harming our reputation | Opinion

Last week, I participated in a bi-partisan program in Cairo at the urging of a university consortium to meet with students, faculty and influencers. My partner was a GOP former member of Congress, Scott Klug, R-Wisconsin. We were asked to discuss the U.S./Egypt relationship and current state of American politics.

I have been fortunate to visit Egypt many times. Despite recent domestic disruptions like the Arab Spring, Muslim Brotherhood control and regional strife, the U.S./Egypt bond has remained strong based on mutual respect and interests.

Egypt is an important country for U.S. security based on its geography, demography and diplomatic posture. Egypt controls the critical Suez Canal. With almost 107 million citizens, it is by far the most populous Arab-speaking country. Since 1946 the U.S. has provided nearly $90 billion in bilateral foreign aid.

The relationship cooled during the Obama administration when it criticized Egypt for human rights violations and lack of transparent democracy initiatives. The chill was caused by desire to export our brand of Jeffersonian ideals to a country with a long history of strong leaders. We were basically accused of meddling.

The relationship has endured, however, based on a more pragmatic approach to the political conditions on the ground and the stabilizing role of Egypt in a volatile region. Egypt must contend with a politically divided Libya on its western border and a civil war in Sudan on its southern border.

From the series of meetings and interactions we had last week, I sense a new dynamic from Egypt in our countries’ relationship: frustration and anger.

The obvious flashpoint is Gaza. After 70,000 deaths in Gaza, Egyptians are acutely aware of American weapons systems used to conduct and prolong the war. The U.S. was viewed as an accelerator with no braking mechanism over the course of the protracted conflict. The Trump/Netanyahu bromance is seen as a relationship to prop up each other’s domestic pursuits. The hopeful ceasefire agreement now in place is seen as deathly late.

This anger and frustration are clear results of the unpredictability of the Trump administration that bases diplomacy on transactions and personal relationships rather than transparent policy.

In our meetings, it became crystal clear that the global actions of the United States are watched microscopically by allies and enemies alike. While in Egypt I heard disdain for our gunboat diplomacy in the Caribbean. These attacks were clearly interpreted as regime change in Venezuela.

We were asked, “Where are the policy and legal constructs for extrajudicial killings?” Indeed.

Our hosts raised further questions about U.S. ham-handed tariff dealings with our allies, including dangerous actions that could trigger regional conflicts. The blustery approach of the U.S. toward Canada, Greenland, Panama, NATO, Ukraine, Brazil and Venezuela are noted in granular detail by all.

While much of the world “fake smiles” its way in our diplomatic engagements, new alliances are being formulated others to re-align relationships. China is genuinely smiling as U.S. soft power abroad purposefully and quickly subsides.

As former members of Congress on a trip to listen and learn it was instructive and painful to feel the criticism by Egyptian friends who expect more of the checks and balances in our system. The polarization of our nation is directly felt by our allies as the Congress acts more like a parliamentary institution than a deliberative body representing diverse interests across a vast and diverse country. To be clear, the anger is directed primarily at Trump, but also at Congress for abandoning its counterbalancing role.

Clearly, we can promote democracy abroad through our adherence to the U.S. Constitution and our democratic principles. The best display of democracy is conveyed by example and the functioning of our three branches of government. Our friends and allies see us through many windows: in-country diplomats, business groups, Congress, trade, NGOs, universities and media. Egyptians told us the United States is now viewed as a country with only one portal for conducting diplomacy and displaying democracy: the Trump White House.

Alliances suffer if diplomacy and relationships are strictly transactional, unpredictable and void of clear policy. Nearly a year into Trump White House II, it was chilling to witness open concern for the health of our country’s bedrock principles.

The recent election outcomes in New Jersey, New York City and Virginia were closely examined by Egyptians. Discussions always addressed the upcoming mid-term elections which will appropriately be viewed from afar as a clear referendum on the party in power.

For now, the unpredictability of United States foreign policy is not viewed favorably in the corner of the world we visited. The pragmatism of the U.S./Egyptian relationship is now focused on a re-set that may or may not occur in the mid-term elections of 2026.

Our election cycle in the U.S. can once again provide a beacon of democracy for the world to see.

Larry LaRocco is a Democrat who served as U.S. representative for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District from 1991 to 1995.