Each time a presidential transition takes place, a well-known phrase crops up: “the U.S. has one president at a time.” However Trump is already declaring international coverage plans that differ from Biden’s.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
Each time a presidential transition takes place, a well-known phrase crops up – the U.S. has one president at a time. The outgoing president nonetheless calls the photographs till the brand new president is sworn in. Nonetheless, President-elect Trump is already declaring particular international coverage plans that differ from these of President Biden. For extra on this, we’re joined by NPR’s Greg Myre. Hello, Greg.
GREG MYRE, BYLINE: Hello, Mary Louise.
KELLY: What particular international coverage plans is Trump outlining?
MYRE: Nicely, this week, Trump went on social media and demanded that the Palestinian group Hamas launch Israeli hostages and several other American Israeli hostages earlier than Trump is sworn in on January 20. If they don’t seem to be freed, he stated, there will likely be hell to pay and people accountable will likely be hit tougher than anyone has been hit in U.S. historical past. Now, the Biden administration has been attempting unsuccessfully to barter a ceasefire and hostage launch within the Gaza warfare. I spoke to Julian Zelizer, a historian at Princeton. I requested him if Trump’s method could produce a breakthrough or simply make issues extra sophisticated for Biden.
JULIAN ZELIZER: That can rely on outcomes. If his doing this by some means strikes unmovable leaders on points, that will be a superb factor. However we do not know if it is going to work out that manner. He clearly might additionally find yourself subverting Biden.
KELLY: Greg Myre, I am sitting right here attempting to consider parallels, and I am questioning about 1981. Jimmy Carter was president. He was leaving the White Home. He was attempting to win the discharge of U.S. hostages being held in Iran earlier than Ronald Reagan walked into the White Home. What occurred?
MYRE: Yeah, that is proper. There are some similarities. The U.S. hostages have been held for greater than a 12 months. And Carter’s group labored at a deal simply earlier than he was set to depart workplace. It regarded like he may depart on a excessive notice, however as Zelizer notes…
ZELIZER: The Iranians didn’t need to give him a victory, although. They usually really launched the hostages proper after Ronald Reagan is inaugurated. There is a break up display screen second the place the inauguration is going on, the hostages are being launched. And finally, it is an incredible triumph for Reagan.
KELLY: How may tariffs match into this? As a result of Trump can be saying, Day 1, he’ll slap tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada. Is he already negotiating?
MYRE: You understand, Mary Louise, proper after these feedback, the Canadian and Mexican leaders in a short time received involved with Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even made the trek to Mar-a-Lago in Florida, so Trump’s remarks clearly had an affect. Now, Trump supporters could say it is a superb factor. These international locations know they’re on discover and should be prepared for Trump’s concern. Some critics say this goes in opposition to the precept that an incoming president ought to wait till he is in workplace earlier than coping with substantive insurance policies. And throughout the transition interval, you’d anticipate congratulatory courtesy calls from international leaders, however not coverage discussions over punitive measures, particularly with pleasant neighbors like Canada and Mexico.
KELLY: What about Ukraine, which is the place one can think about one of many largest international coverage modifications between Trump and Biden?
MYRE: Nicely, Trump has already spoken with Ukraine’s chief, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Elon Musk even joined in on that decision. And we all know Trump desires to barter an finish to the warfare. He even claimed throughout the marketing campaign he might try this in a day. Now, that is actually seen as bluster. However we must always notice, Zelenskyy has struck a barely totally different tone lately. He now says Ukraine might conform to a ceasefire if it is allowed to hitch NATO. Massive ifs there. And, Mary Louise, one final notice. Trump is taking up among the ceremonial trappings of the presidency. He is heading to Paris this weekend to attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. It has been restored after it was badly broken in a hearth 5 years in the past. Not surprisingly, Trump will meet along with his soon-to-be counterpart, French President Emmanuel Macron.
KELLY: Thanks, Greg.
MYRE: Positive factor.
KELLY: NPR’s Greg Myre.
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