As Donald Trump embarks on his second term, global attention remains sharply focused on his administration's strategic direction. On his first day back in office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders addressing key domestic issues. These orders included measures to tighten border security, deport individuals with criminal records, roll back environmental protections to allow oil drilling in Alaska, and mandate the return of federal employees to in-office work after periods of remote operation.
While domestic policies took center stage, Trump's inaugural address offered limited insight into his foreign policy agenda. Notably, he expressed intentions to reclaim the Panama Canal from Panama and proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, signaling a shift in international engagements.
Economically, Trump's administration has been particularly vocal about its stance on international trade. The President emphasized the imposition of significant tariffs on the Chinese mainland and other nations, citing unfair trade practices. Although specific tariff rates were not detailed in his address, Trump's campaign rhetoric suggested potential tariffs ranging from 10% to 60% on affected countries. To oversee these measures, he announced plans to establish an External Revenue Service.
In a strategic move to maintain stability between the world's two largest economies, Trump engaged in a phone call with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping prior to his inauguration. The discussion underscored the necessity for extensive cooperation between the United States and the Chinese mainland to ensure global peace and long-term stability.
Amid rising tensions, President Trump made a notable intervention to prevent the banning of TikTok, a platform owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance. Contrary to the proposed legislation that would have required TikTok to sell its operations to an American company—a condition ByteDance found unacceptable—Trump suggested transforming TikTok into a joint venture with the U.S. government. This decision came despite significant protests in Congress and widespread anti-Chinese sentiment, including opposition from within his own party. Trump's choice to preserve TikTok for its extensive user base in the United States highlighted his administration's nuanced approach to foreign technology firms and international relations.
Reference(s):
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