NEW YORK — With more than six weeks remaining until his official second-term inauguration, Donald Trump is already taking bold steps to establish his administration’s direction. The Republican president-elect is engaging with global leaders, filling key Cabinet positions, and setting decisive policies.
Trump has raised eyebrows with his threat of a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, prompting immediate diplomatic communications. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a visit to Trump, resulting in what Trump claims are new commitments to strengthen border security.
Additionally, the incoming president has issued a stout warning regarding Hamas, stating that there will be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if the group does not release hostages before his administration begins on January 20, 2025. He has also issued a warning regarding the acquisition of U.S. Steel by a Japanese firm, declaring “Buyer Beware!!!”
This past weekend, Trump re-entered the international arena, attending a ceremony marking the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which had been devastated by fire five years earlier. He engaged in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined their meeting at the last moment. Plans were also in place for Trump to meet with Prince William of Britain during his Paris visit.
In a notable absence, outgoing President Joe Biden did not attend the event, with most headlines focused on his recent decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, who had encountered legal troubles concerning gun and tax violations. In his place, First Lady Jill Biden represented the U.S.
“In the past two weeks, you’ve witnessed more activity than in the last four years, and we haven’t even taken office yet,” Trump proclaimed profusely during an awards ceremony on Thursday.
Despite his vigorous assertions, the actual impact of Trump’s pre-inaugural moves remains unclear.
The fervent threats and diplomatic efforts he is engaging in are unconventional, as noted by Julian Zelizer, a political historian at Princeton. He mentioned, “Transitions are complex. When one talks about a president’s role, it often encompasses more than just that individual.” Zelizer pointed out that Trump’s prior experience as president allows him to maintain relationships with leaders such as Macron, who invited both him and Biden to Paris for the Notre Dame events.
“At this moment, he is operating as if he’s in office before even assuming the presidency,” Zelizer remarked. “These interactions with foreign leaders are not merely cursory; they involve policy stakes and negotiations on issues ranging from drug trafficking to tariffs.”
Trump has already held meetings with various other leaders and engaged in numerous phone calls. In November, he hosted Argentinian President Javier Milei at his Mar-a-Lago club and later had a three-hour dinner session with Trudeau, where discussions about border investment and security arose.
Additionally, Trump had dinner with Sara Netanyahu in Israel and has had numerous interactions between his future aides and foreign counterparts. Recently, several members of Trump’s team met with a senior aide to Zelenskyy as Ukraine seeks support against the Russian invasion.
Trump’s incoming envoy to the Middle East has also reportedly made significant trips, engaging in discussions around cease-fires and hostage situations with leaders in Qatar and Israel. These meetings fall within a traditionally acceptable practice unless they are aimed at undermining existing U.S. policies.
While there are no explicit restrictions against incoming officials interacting with foreign leaders, caution prevails among Trump’s team, especially in light of past scrutiny from the 2016 election when some interactions raised eyebrows. Trump’s new press secretary stated that all officials are adhering to legal guidelines in their meetings with foreign officials.
Nevertheless, mixed signals can complicate matters for the current administration. If President Biden is attempting to address a sensitive issue and Trump interjects with his opinions, difficulties may arise given that different, often opposing messages can create confusion among foreign actors. Figures like Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu might even bide their time, anticipating advantages that could come from the approaching Trump administration.
As it stands, the extent to which the Biden administration is privy to the transition efforts of Trump is still an open question. While there is no legal requirement for the incoming administration to coordinate with the outgoing team, it has long been a deemed best practice to keep communication lines open. The seamless handling of foreign relations often depends on both administrations working in tandem, especially in the initial transition phase, where resources and information may be limited.
Despite this uncertainty, ongoing dialogues between the Biden and Trump officials touch upon key issues, particularly concerning the Middle East and efforts to negotiate the release of hostages held in Gaza. Reports have surfaced about coordinated discussions involving Trump’s team and Biden’s foreign policy advisors. The recent cooperation includes statements regarding plans to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
However, on immigration topics, it appears that the Biden team has not fully engaged with Trump’s proposals to deport countless migrants, showcasing distinctions between their views on this critical issue.
Interestingly, Trump’s team has already started taking credit for various developments, from stock market gains to corporate policy shifts, asserting that both Canada and Mexico are prepared for immediate actions to combat immigration issues and drug trafficking.
Trump’s aides are using these claims to bolster their position, even before he officially takes office, although different officials from Mexico have softened their statements regarding the characterization of their discussions with Trump.
As the new team prepares to take over, it remains to be seen how these dynamics will unfold in the coming months.
