190
Trump Energy Diplomacy
Oil and gas resources and control over energy transit routes are among primary
issues in International relations. Energy resources are one means of power in the
international system. Countries who hold major oil and gas resources are trying to
use these resources as an instrument of foreign policy and as leverage to not only
develop their relations with neighboring and other countries but also to maintain
peace and regional stability. The major world power also strives to use sanctions
against countries with huge oil and gas resources to reach economic and political
goals in international spheres. Central Asia and the Caspian Sea regions, which are
regions rich in energy resources, are of particular importance due to their geopolitical position and proximity to Afghanistan, Russia’s political and military influence and China’s economic development, cultural commonalities with Iran,
authoritarian governments with widespread poverty and corruption, and increasing religious extremism as for America (www.state.gov 2019a, b). In the 2016
election campaign, Central Asia and the Caspian Sea regions were not mentioned
in Donald Trump’s slogans. After coming to power, he had a special focus on
China-Iran-North Korea and Russia in foreign policy (https://www.cfr.org/blog/
us-natural-gas-once-full-promise-now-retreat?utm_medium=social_share&utm_
source=tw 2019).
Trump Foreign Policy Toward the Caspian Sea Region
During Trump’s presidency, the role of energy in foreign policy increased and the
use of the element of sanctions on the energy industry of other countries became one
of the basic principles of Trump’s foreign policy. But the important point is that during Trump’s presidency, the energy market saw a fall in oil prices which has had a
significant impact on the US economy, energy security, and national security. This
chapter will examine Trump’s energy policy in general and Trump’s energy diplomacy with Central Asia. The US withdrawal from the UN Security Council and
sanctions against the North Stream 2 project could be indirectly seen as part of
Trump’s diplomacy with the Caspian Sea. Ambassador Richard Morningstar who
served as a diplomat in the Caspian Sea region believes that energy issues are something that the US has agreed on. We have common interests.
What was important is that this was a bipartisan policy. Republicans and Democrats both
supported it… With all of the issues in the United States, all the fighting back and forth
between Republicans and Democrats, our Caspian policy has been fully consistent for 25
years. It was only a few years after the breakup of the Soviet Union, and we really wanted
to emphasize and ensure the sovereignty of the new States, #Azerbaijan, #Georgia, and
Central Asian countries. (www.atlanticcouncil.org 2020a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i)
Trump’s policy toward the Caspian Sea littoral states is within the past administration’s policies. The US Policy toward the Caspian Sea States and Former Soviet
Republics was mainly shaped up during the administration of President George
W. Bush and his team, specifically Vice President Dick Cheney. President Bush
6 Trump Energy Diplomacy
Trump Energy Diplomacy
Oil and gas resources and control over energy transit routes are among primary
issues in International relations. Energy resources are one means of power in the
international system. Countries who hold major oil and gas resources are trying to
use these resources as an instrument of foreign policy and as leverage to not only
develop their relations with neighboring and other countries but also to maintain
peace and regional stability. The major world power also strives to use sanctions
against countries with huge oil and gas resources to reach economic and political
goals in international spheres. Central Asia and the Caspian Sea regions, which are
regions rich in energy resources, are of particular importance due to their geopolitical position and proximity to Afghanistan, Russia’s political and military influence and China’s economic development, cultural commonalities with Iran,
authoritarian governments with widespread poverty and corruption, and increasing religious extremism as for America (www.state.gov 2019a, b). In the 2016
election campaign, Central Asia and the Caspian Sea regions were not mentioned
in Donald Trump’s slogans. After coming to power, he had a special focus on
China-Iran-North Korea and Russia in foreign policy (https://www.cfr.org/blog/
us-natural-gas-once-full-promise-now-retreat?utm_medium=social_share&utm_
source=tw 2019).
Trump Foreign Policy Toward the Caspian Sea Region
During Trump’s presidency, the role of energy in foreign policy increased and the
use of the element of sanctions on the energy industry of other countries became one
of the basic principles of Trump’s foreign policy. But the important point is that during Trump’s presidency, the energy market saw a fall in oil prices which has had a
significant impact on the US economy, energy security, and national security. This
chapter will examine Trump’s energy policy in general and Trump’s energy diplomacy with Central Asia. The US withdrawal from the UN Security Council and
sanctions against the North Stream 2 project could be indirectly seen as part of
Trump’s diplomacy with the Caspian Sea. Ambassador Richard Morningstar who
served as a diplomat in the Caspian Sea region believes that energy issues are something that the US has agreed on. We have common interests.
What was important is that this was a bipartisan policy. Republicans and Democrats both
supported it… With all of the issues in the United States, all the fighting back and forth
between Republicans and Democrats, our Caspian policy has been fully consistent for 25
years. It was only a few years after the breakup of the Soviet Union, and we really wanted
to emphasize and ensure the sovereignty of the new States, #Azerbaijan, #Georgia, and
Central Asian countries. (www.atlanticcouncil.org 2020a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i)
Trump’s policy toward the Caspian Sea littoral states is within the past administration’s policies. The US Policy toward the Caspian Sea States and Former Soviet
Republics was mainly shaped up during the administration of President George
W. Bush and his team, specifically Vice President Dick Cheney. President Bush
6 Trump Energy Diplomacy