Why 2026 worries me

TIME seems to be moving fast. We celebrated 2025 only a short time ago, but now we are celebrating a new year again. This is the year 2026 and we wonder what the new year has in store for us.

One thing is certain: the turmoil of 2025 will continue in 2026. Mostly, the turmoil is due to one man — the President of the United States. Donald Trump, who won a second term, has turned the whole world upside down.

What has Mr Trump done? He has turned a multipolar world into a unipolar one. He has practically declared war against all countries of the world, big and small. He wants to make the United States of America great again.

His claim is that the world has been cheating the United States. According to Trump, the world has been using the US as a market to dump all kinds of products. The world, he says, has been enriched by exploiting the US market.

So Trump has decided to apply high tariffs on imports into the US to reduce the deficits suffered by the country. He wants all American companies abroad to return to the US. These companies will create jobs for Americans and stop relying on imports. For this, he has raised tariffs by up to 150 per cent.

However, he is willing to negotiate on tariff rates, and the negotiations must benefit the US.

Unfortunately for Trump, high tariffs have inflated costs in the US. Only the rich are enjoying a good life there, while the poor are suffering. This is the K-economy.

Additionally, to save administrative costs, tens of thousands of American government workers have been sacked. They have lost their incomes, thus creating social and economic problems.

Internationally, the US destabilises countries by promoting regime change. It supports civil wars with funds and weapons. Aid to poor countries has been stopped. Shortages of food and medicine now affect these countries.

The result is mass migration to stable, developed countries. These countries now have to deal with all kinds of problems caused by migrants.

In Malaysia, parties that lost in the election form the government. They seem unable to deal with inflation and political problems. They restrict discussion on race, religion and the Rulers. They censor the press.

2026 will see a continuation of this bad governance. Protests by the people will continue to be ignored. Whistleblowers will be investigated and subjected to government pressure. Corruption is rife. Members of Parliament will face suspension if they speak out.

With the signing of a treaty with the US, Malaysia has lost its independence. It now has to follow American foreign policy, including treating China as a potential enemy.

Information technology, especially AI, is corrupting the minds of the young.

So what will 2026 be like?

It is not going to be good, as Trump disregards normal rules and laws in international relations.

I am not optimistic about 2026.

I hope I am wrong.

DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD

4th & 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia