Each time a presidential transition takes place, a well-recognized 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-recognized 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: Effectively, 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 are not freed, he stated, there might be hell to pay and people accountable might be hit more durable than anyone has been hit in U.S. historical past. Now, the Biden administration has been making an attempt 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 difficult for Biden.
JULIAN ZELIZER: That may rely upon outcomes. If his doing this someway strikes unmovable leaders on points, that will be a great factor. However we do not know if it would work out that approach. He clearly may additionally find yourself subverting Biden.
KELLY: Greg Myre, I am sitting right here making an attempt to think about parallels, and I am questioning about 1981. Jimmy Carter was president. He was leaving the White Home. He was making an attempt 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 had been held for greater than a yr. And Carter’s workforce labored at a deal simply earlier than he was set to depart workplace. It seemed like he would possibly go away on a excessive observe, however as Zelizer notes…
ZELIZER: The Iranians didn’t wish to give him a victory, although. They usually really launched the hostages proper after Ronald Reagan is inaugurated. There is a break up display second the place the inauguration is occurring, the hostages are being launched. And finally, it is an awesome triumph for Reagan.
KELLY: How would possibly tariffs match into this? As a result of Trump can also be saying, Day 1, he will slap tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada. Is he already negotiating?
MYRE: You recognize, Mary Louise, proper after these feedback, the Canadian and Mexican leaders in a short time obtained 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 influence. Now, Trump supporters could say this can be a excellent factor. These international locations know they’re on discover and have to 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 count on 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 greatest international coverage adjustments between Trump and Biden?
MYRE: Effectively, Trump has already spoken with Ukraine’s chief, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Elon Musk even joined in on that decision. And we all know Trump needs to barter an finish to the warfare. He even claimed throughout the marketing campaign he may try this in a day. Now, that is actually seen as bluster. However we must always observe, Zelenskyy has struck a barely completely different tone lately. He now says Ukraine may conform to a ceasefire if it is allowed to affix NATO. Huge ifs there. And, Mary Louise, one final observe. Trump is taking up a few of 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 together with his soon-to-be counterpart, French President Emmanuel Macron.
KELLY: Thanks, Greg.
MYRE: Positive factor.
KELLY: NPR’s Greg Myre.
Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Go to our web site phrases of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for additional info.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This textual content is probably not in its last kind and could also be up to date or revised sooner or later. Accuracy and availability could differ. The authoritative document of NPR’s programming is the audio document.
