SINCE day one in the White House, President Donald Trump has made “America First” the hallmark of his foreign policy, unapologetically confronting allies and enemies alike to protect US interests overseas.

But a truly effective “America First” approach must include strong responses to any encroachment on US sovereignty, which is why the president should take action against Malaysia and its erratic leader over the recent seizure of American-controlled assets.

Earlier this month, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad ordered the seizure of assets being targeted by the Department of Justice – at taxpayers’ expense – as part of a US$4.5 billion (RM19 billion) international criminal investigation that spans the United States and at least 10 other countries.

Dr Mahathir took a US$250 million super yacht (Equanimity) and has plans to do the same with a luxury jet parked in Singapore that US officials have their sights on.

The United States adjudicates hundreds of these types of global financial cases, largely so international markets are safe for American companies and investors against the risks of graft and fraud.

But to prosecute these cases, the DoJ and other relevant US agencies must be able to operate without infringement from other nations – making it critical for the Trump administration to flex the nation’s muscle under the America First doctrine and take action against Dr Mahathir and his government.

This response should begin with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who visited Dr Mahathir in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month.

While the US ambassador to Malaysia tweeted after the meeting declaring that the nations’ partnership had been strengthened, Pompeo should demand that Mahathir – who has previously suggested blockading the United States to deprive it of food and medicine – return the yacht to the US or face serious consequences.

Those consequences could include re-evaluating the United States’ status as Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner – hardly an empty threat given Trump’s hardball approach to renegotiating trade deals with some of our closest allies.

The US is also Malaysia’s leading provider of foreign direct investment, which could be re-examined if Mahathir refuses to reverse his decision.

Directives such as these followed by meaningful consequences for noncompliance are the only way to rein in rogue actors and guarantee the success of a truly “America First” policy.

As Trump has suggested, a hard-nosed foreign policy is its own deterrent, forcing other nations to reconsider its attempts to take advantage of or embarrass the US.

Failure to do so will only embolden old and new adversaries to undermine the US on critical issues, including trade, immigration and national security.

It is no coincidence that threats from traditional adversaries such as North Korea and Iran largely halted after Trump promised grave consequences in response to malign actions against the US.

But consistency in putting America first requires zero-tolerance for all threats to US interests – not just nuclear ones.

The Trump administration should demand the immediate return of these assets from Malaysia and set a clear tone for future interactions with Mahathir and other foreign leaders. – August 23, 2018.

* Brian McNicoll is a former director of communications for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and a former senior writer for the conservative Heritage Foundation. This article first appeared in the Daily Caller.  

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.