TOI correspondent living in Washington: Early visits to China and India are a key part of Donald Trump’s trade-driven foreign policy agenda, his advisers say. The president-elect flew to Washington, D.C. over the weekend in high spirits for his inauguration, attending a fireworks display that served as a metaphorical preview of his second term in office.
Trump, who was ridiculed at the beginning of his first term in the White House for being unprepared for the office, this time became president even before he took the oath of office, and although he was the incumbent Joe, he was able to interact with foreign leaders and interact. The government is taking proactive steps, such as reaching out to people. Biden is stumbling. Trump advisers told the Wall Street Journal that they had contacted Chinese President Xi Jinping directly to discuss a possible trip to China, and that the president had said he was planning to visit India in April. are also showing interest.
Preliminary talks have already begun with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his December visit to Japan, and within the next week after the inauguration ceremony, when the Indian External Affairs Minister is scheduled to hold discussions with the US, Japanese and other foreign ministers. Follow-up actions are likely to be taken. Australia discusses upcoming QUAD summit.
Immediately after taking office, President Trump focused on China and India, disdained Europe, NATO, and neighbors Canada and Mexico, and abandoned Washington, D.C.’s long-held Atlanticist-centered worldview. , all of which he regards as outcasts. China and India are in distinctly different baskets, and the deal-making skills that President Trump touts will be needed to offset surpluses with increased U.S. exports and achieve better trade outcomes.
“I just spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This meeting was very good for both China and the United States. I look forward to resolving many issues together and getting started soon. Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, President Xi and I will do everything we can to make the world more peaceful and secure!” Trump wrote on his social media platforms shortly after the call.
Despite Trump’s promises to the MAGA base on domestic economic outcomes such as lower prices, his emphasis on foreign policy is evidenced by the lineup of foreign officials, including business leaders, invited to his inauguration. It’s obvious. They include Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani, who are expected to meet the president-elect on Saturday and attend the inauguration ceremony on Monday.
The flashy speed with which the Trump administration is moving forward on the foreign policy front belies the traditional caution and theatrics that accompany it. Even on domestic issues, the MAGA Supreme Court is expected to issue dozens, perhaps up to 100 executive orders changing or reversing many of the Biden-era policies within hours of its inauguration on Monday, many of which It’s about immigration and energy. .
