Washington DC:
President Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders Monday, in the first hour of his second presidential term, signaling a singular shift in U.S. foreign policy that advances the new president’s vision of an “America First” approach. did. In a wide-ranging press conference held in the Oval Office, Trump laid out the broad outlines of how he intends to tackle topics ranging from the trade war to TikTok, and made sure the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel remains in place. He said, “I’m not confident” whether it will work.
He also renewed threats against Canada and Mexico, the United States’ two biggest trading partners, saying he could impose 25% tariffs on both countries as early as February 1st, while It promised punitive measures against other countries as part of the new regime. trade policy. He also signed a series of executive orders withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accord.
trade war
President Trump criticized Mexico and Canada for failing to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the United States. “Canada is a very dangerous country because they are allowing people to come into the country.” The bad abusers, too – a huge number of people will come, and the fentanyl will come. ”
He added that he was considering imposing tariffs on February 1st. The new president also signed an order Monday directing government agencies to investigate a number of trade issues, including deficits, unfair practices and currency manipulation. These could pave the way for further missions.
Earlier, President Trump vowed to “immediately begin a thorough review” of the U.S. trading system “to protect American workers and families.” In his inaugural address, President Trump said, “Instead of taxing our people to make other countries rich, we impose tariffs and taxes on foreign countries to make our people rich.”
According to the US State Department, Mexico will become the US’ largest trading partner in 2023, with total two-way goods trade of $807 billion, exceeding US trade with China.
EU imbalance
In a speech from the Oval Office, President Trump also took aim at the trade imbalance with the European Union, saying the United States is not importing enough American goods. He added that he would “rectify the problem” by introducing tariffs or encouraging more oil and gas purchases from within the region.
The EU’s economic commissioner said earlier Monday that it stands ready to protect its interests, and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said she would work to ensure Ottawa responds to any U.S. action.
In his inaugural address, President Trump also reiterated his plans to establish an “External Revenue Service” to collect tariffs, tariffs, and revenue.
TikTok
The president ordered a 75-day moratorium on enforcement of the law that effectively bans TikTok. His actions delayed the implementation of a law that went into effect this week banning TikTok distribution and updates in the United States.
President Trump said the app’s Chinese parent company must agree to sell 50% of its stock to the United States.
leave WHO
The president also signed an order for the U.S. to withdraw from the World Health Organization, arguing that the U.S. unfairly pays more to the U.N. agency than China.
According to the order, the United States “mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic arising from Wuhan, China, and other global health crises; failed to adopt urgently needed reforms; He said he was withdrawing from the organization because he did not have the ability to prove it. Independence from undue political influence in WHO Member States. ”
Notably, the United States is the Geneva-based organization’s largest funder.
New President Trump also suspended spending of U.S. foreign development aid for 90 days. The move leaves millions of dollars in aid in limbo, depending on the decision of Marco Rubio, who was confirmed by the U.S. Secretary of State as the first Cabinet member of the new Trump administration.
Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement
The president immediately pulled the United States out of the Paris climate accord, repeating actions he took during his first term. The order extends President Trump’s open rejection of global efforts to combat global warming as catastrophic weather events intensify around the world.
It takes one year to leave the agreement after submitting formal notification to the United Nations framework that underpins global climate change negotiations.
vows to seize the Panama Canal
In his inaugural address, President Trump reiterated his complaint that China is effectively “running” the Panama Canal by increasing its presence around the vital waterway, which it handed over from the United States in late 1999.
“We didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re going to take it back,” Trump said after taking the oath inside the U.S. Capitol.
President Trump has been ramping up pressure for weeks over the canal, through which 40% of U.S. container traffic passes, and has repeatedly refused to remove military force from Panama, a historically friendly U.S. alliance.
settlers in the west bank
President Trump has rescinded sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank accused of abuses against Palestinians, an unprecedented action taken by President Joe Biden’s administration. The move is seen as a concession to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a key ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Asked by reporters whether Israel and Hamas would maintain a ceasefire and move forward with a deal, Trump said: “It’s not our war. It’s their war. But I’m not confident.”
But he said he believed Hamas had been “weakened” by the war that began with the unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. “I saw pictures of Gaza. Gaza looks like a site of massive destruction,” President Trump said.
The real estate mogul turned populist politician said Gaza would see an “amazing” recovery if plans go ahead. “It’s a phenomenal location right on the ocean, perfect weather. You know, everything’s going great. It’s like we might be able to do some beautiful things,” he said.
Cuba
Reversing another recent move by Biden, Trump removed Cuba from the blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism. Days earlier, Biden had removed Cuba from the list as part of a prisoner release agreement.
Russia-Ukraine war
He also made refreshing remarks about his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the three-year war in Ukraine. Trump confirmed he would meet with Putin, saying the Russian president in Moscow was “destroying Russia” by not striking a deal to end the war. He also downplayed his previous promise to get a peace deal in Ukraine before taking office, saying, “We have to talk to President Putin. We need to know that. He can’t be excited.” “The results are not very good,” he said. I mean, he’s honing it. ”
Other policies
President Trump has said that he can persuade Saudi Arabia to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel based on the Abraham Accords, a flagship policy of the previous administration.
“We’re solely focused on defeating America’s enemies. We’re not going to lose. We’re not going to be humiliated. We’re just going to win, win, win,” he said, calling it an “American victory.” I swore. A “first” policy that prioritizes U.S. interests above all else.
Trump is making history as the oldest president to hold office and the first felon to be convicted in connection with paying hush money to a porn star during his first presidential campaign.
