U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 27, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Washington Post: Other countries are still trying to figure out what Trump means to them
Much of the world is in a quandary, still unsure what to expect from the administration of President Trump. The Chinese are unexpectedly hopeful. Europeans, less so. And Mexico remains wary, if less frightened than when Trump took power on Jan. 20.
“We can’t keep assuming there is now an established order,” says Sergio Aguayo, a Mexican political analyst. “There will likely be more turbulence to come.”
In capitals around the world, foreign leaders are trying to figure out exactly what the administration’s foreign policy positions are and how to best engage with a president who has embraced being unpredictable.
Here are reports on the perspective in four key regions around the globe as Trump mark’s his 100th day in office.
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WNU Editor: I have been asked this question by many of my friends in Europe and Asia. My answer .... unlike past Presidents this one will be more focused on what is in the best interests of the United States .... and not necessarily on what is the best interests of the U.S. with its allies. President Trump has also signalled that he is someone who is focused on money .... both domestic and internationally. Save a few hundred million on an F-35 buy .... check. Tariffs on Canadian soft lumber .... check. Make everyone spend more money on defense .... check. Basically .... he is squeezing every dollar from everyone on both the domestic and international scene.... and while individually it does not add up to a big amount .... collectively it is huge and more importantly .... it sets a trend. Perception is reality when it comes to the office of the President .... and President Trump has telegraphed to everyone that his priority is America first. That is what I am telling my friends in Europe and Asia .... approach President Trump with that mindset .... and find the issues where both sides can benefit. One more point .... talk is cheap with President Trump. Case in point .... when the U.S., Canada, and Mexico promised 2 months ago to look at NAFTA .... they ended up doing nothing. President Trump threatened to cancel the deal this past week resulting in panic and a floury of phone calls.... and another promise to do something. All that I can say is that they better deliver .... because if they do not .... he may actually end up cancelling it, and he can now pin the blame on both Canada and Mexico. He is in it for the long game .... and he wants to see progress. For this former diplomat .... I admit that I find this type of talk unnerving .... but it is also refreshing to see.
1 comment:
I have heard two stories recently about Canadians attempting to enter the US.
One was about a Canadian nurse who works in a hospital in the US. She came home on vacation and when heading back to her US job was refused entry by a border agent because "we have nurses that can do the job".
The other was the brother of a man who lived in the US, both Canadians. He was taking some tools down to help his brother build a garage. The tools were noticed at the border and when he explained why he was taking them into the US he was told "we have carpenters he can hire for that worked" and refused entry.
I don't know what the final outcome was of both situations and probably never will.
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