This week two significant political events occurred: Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States of America, and Christopher Luxon reshuffled his ministerial cabinet, effective today. Which of the two is more significant will be a matter of opinion, geography, and the unfolding of events in the coming two to four years. 

Most significantly for the Kiwi trucking industry, Chris Bishop has taken over the role of Transport Minister. He’s been welcomed positively by industry associations and there’s no doubt he’ll continue Simeon Brown’s work. 

“Having set the building blocks for rebuilding the economy, 2025 is all about going for growth and I am refreshing my team to underline this priority,” Luxon said. Well, here’s hoping.

Off to a flying start, Trump wasted no time signing 26 executive orders on inauguration day. While he did not implement the much-talked about trade tariffs, he ordered a review of the US trade policy. He also declared an energy emergency in response to high fuel prices with the line: “We will drill, baby, drill.”

Much like Luxon’s actions in reversing offshore gas exploration and clean car discounts following his taking of power, Trump also ordered a reversal of Biden’s efforts to protect certain areas from offshore drilling, ordered oil and gas production in Alaska and repealed rules to speed up the uptake of electric vehicles. He also withdrew the US from the Paris climate agreement, as he’d originally done in his first term.

Those who have more concern for the environment may have choked on their morning toast when taking in the news of Trump’s enthusiasm – at a time in history characterised by relatively high energy costs, inflation, increased unemployment and an overall uncertain global situation, can any of this really come as a surprise?

Trump also made a bit of noise in December about the United States taking control of Greenland (as he also did in his first term), and while this is probably unlikely to happen, it’s raised an important question in my mind about the whole climate change thing… See, as explained in this analysis of Greenland’s worth, it is incredibly valuable from a strategic military perspective and for its abundance of previously untapped natural resources in the Arctic. 

In the context of global warming and melting ice sheets, one can only be left with a sour taste in their mouth if all anyone’s after is the oil, gas and minerals that become accessible because of it. ‘The world’s burning but hey, at least there’s more fuel!’

Now, I’m not a ‘greenie’ by any means. Sure I recognise the situation and follow with interest what happens around it, especially when considering the future of the transport industry. But, man, given the flip-flopping nature of politics, the reality that economics trumps all (no pun intended), and our species’ drive for dominance over one another … sometimes I wonder, why even bother?

Take care out there,

Gavin Myers
Editor