
Transition of power
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Memo from the White House
Two different presidents in the United States are implementing their own policies regarding foreign affairs. While President Biden is working to negotiate a cease-fire in Lebanon, President-elect Donald J. Trump is already taking steps to shape his own foreign policy before officially taking office.
Written by Peter Baker
Writing from the capital
Stay informed with the most recent news regarding President-elect Trump’s transition process.
The traditional saying during the period between an election and an inauguration is that there is only one president in power. However, this concept may not be easily understood by the international community at this moment.
As the current president participates in international meetings and negotiates a peace agreement in the Middle East, the president-elect is already engaging in his own foreign policy activities from his Florida estate.
President-elect Donald J. Trump announced his intention to start a trade war by imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China as soon as he took office, without waiting to be officially sworn in. The following day, President Biden announced a resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah after over a year of fighting.
In the current period of change in America, there are conflicting actions of making peace and starting wars happening simultaneously, often reported in a single news cycle. Two presidents are guiding the country in opposing directions, with one following official protocols and the other acting in an unofficial capacity. One president signifies the past and present, while the other represents the future. This situation may leave foreign leaders feeling uncertain and unsure whether to engage with the outgoing leader or prepare for the incoming leader’s policies.
According to Suzanne Maloney, a former State Department adviser and director of the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution in Washington, transitions typically lead to a shift in momentum for the new team. However, this current transition feels more notable than any recent ones.
"Leaders of various countries are attempting to gain favor with Trump by aligning themselves with his agenda. Trump’s close advisors are ignoring the usual protocols of discretion during the transition period."
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