We live in a world increasingly polarized by hatred, division, and the relentless pursuit of power. It is not God who should be blamed for the hatred that has seeped into every layer of society; rather, the blame lies within us, human beings who, despite immense power and potential, have often chosen destruction over compassion, and division over unity.

The tools and talents gifted to humanity by the Creator were never meant for warfare, discrimination, or the construction of barriers, whether physical, emotional, or ideological. Instead, they were meant to uplift, serve, and unify mankind.

The philosopher Erich Fromm, in his seminal work The Art of Loving, explains that love is not a passive emotion but a powerful act of will and commitment to humanity. He writes, “Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence.” Yet in contemporary society, love is treated as a weakness, while aggression, self-interest, and dominance are mistaken for strength.

This toxic mindset finds its expression not only in interpersonal relationships but also in global politics and economics. Consider the recent years of political leadership in the United States, particularly under former President Donald Trump. His “America First” doctrine emphasized national interest above international cooperation, and one of its most controversial expressions was the implementation of aggressive tariff policies, especially against China.

Tariffs, in theory, are economic tools used to protect domestic industries. However, in practice, they often become instruments of economic warfare. Under Trump, the U.S. imposed billions of dollars in tariffs on Chinese goods, citing unfair trade practices, intellectual property theft, and a massive trade deficit. While these concerns were valid to some extent, the unilateral and combative approach strained international relationships, increased costs for American consumers, and provoked retaliatory tariffs, deepening the divide between the two largest economies in the world.

According to a 2020 study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, American firms and consumers bore nearly the full burden of Trump’s tariffs, with prices on imported goods rising significantly. Moreover, U.S. farmers were severely affected by Chinese retaliation, prompting the government to issue billions in bailout payments. Rather than fostering global understanding or negotiating cooperative economic reforms, these tariffs exemplified how policies rooted in confrontation and protectionism can exacerbate division and suffering on both sides.

This is not merely an economic or political failure; it is a moral failure. When policies are driven by animosity rather than empathy, the consequences reverberate far beyond trade statistics. They influence how nations perceive one another, how citizens see foreign cultures, and how the next generation learns to interact with the world.

History has repeatedly shown that societies thrive not through fear or force but through unity and compassion. Consider the Marshall Plan after World War II, where the U.S. invested in rebuilding Europe, not as a strategy for dominance, but as a gesture of solidarity.

That act of generosity laid the foundation for decades of peace and prosperity. Likewise, the formation of the European Union, though facing challenges today, was born from a desire to end centuries of conflict through economic and cultural integration.

In our present time, we are again at a crossroads. Global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality cannot be resolved through isolationist policies or trade wars. They demand collaboration, understanding, and most importantly, love.

Love in this context means respecting the dignity of every nation, fostering fair dialogue, and acknowledging the interconnectedness of our fates.

Let us remember that the hatred we see in the world on the news, in policy, and sometimes even in our homes is not an inevitability. It is a choice. And so too is love.

We have the power to choose policies that lift others rather than crush them, words that heal rather than wound, and actions that bring people together rather than push them apart.

God endowed us with free will, intellect, and empathy. These were meant to create a world where love thrives even amid disagreement. In this time of growing hatred, it is not the heavens that have failed it is we who must rise and reclaim the purpose for which we were made, to love, to heal, and to build a world worth inheriting.