What Message Does The President-Elect Try to Convey? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

What Message Does The President-Elect Try to Convey?

Trump After TPP Withdraw

19
What Message Does The President-Elect Try to Convey?
Jia Guo

In a YouTube video released on Nov. 22, the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump delivered a direct-to-camera message in which he vowed to create jobs, end restrictions on energy production and withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal on his first day in office on Jan. 20, 2017.

The TPP agreement, supported by President Barack Obama, was deemed as part of the border strategy to assert American values and influence both in Asia and other parts of the world, a way to balance China’s growing power and influences. While China is not included in the deal, it comprises a number of 12 countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and New Zealand that the U.S. wanted to build strong economic ties with. Signed earlier this year, the 12-nation TPP agreement is President Obama’s signature trade initiative.

In the video, the President-elect Trump reiterated his agenda to replace the deal with bilateral trade deals that help bring jobs back to the U.S.

“My agenda will be based on a simple core principle: putting America first. Whether it’s producing steel, building cars or curing disease, I want the next generation of production and innovation to happen right here on the great homeland, America, creating wealth and jobs for American workers,” he said in the video.

Whether withdrawing from TPP could lead to extreme protectionism remains to be seen. While the proposed withdrawal could play a positive role in preventing trade exclusiveness and steering clear of political influence on trade, Trump’s rhetoric of “putting America first” could potentially hurt other countries’ economic interests, including China.

On Monday, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe criticized Trump’s proposal of withdrawing, saying the TPP would be “meaningless” without U.S. participation and that “this would disturb the fundamental balances of benefits.”

Since Nov. 8 when Trump defeated Democratic Party rival Hillary Clinton to become the U.S. president-elect, he has been busy with interviewing potential cabinet candidates to format his administration. While many people expressed their concerns about a Trump presidency, President Obama said he believes Trump will be driven by pragmatism, not ideology, when he governs. “I don’t think he is ideological. I think ultimately he is pragmatic,” President Obama said after meeting with Trump in the White House for the first time earlier November.

As a business mogul who values business achievements more than anything else, it was understandable that the new president-elect has a good intention when it comes to governing a country: making America great again, in a short period of time. However, unlike running a business, governing a country requires patience, wisdom, and sustainable plans. As an old Chinese proverb goes, “Haste does not bring success.”

As the second biggest economic entity in the world, China has taken measures to combat against the reality when the country was excluded from the TPP agreement. One of them was to create its own multi-country trade agreement, called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the U.S. is not included. As long as the Trump administration can treat China with a pragmatic attitude and play by rules, there will be fewer obstacles for smooth and productive trade negotiations between the two sides. A successful trade deal should be reached on the basis of maximizing the benefits of both parties. The concept of “Putting America First” shouldn’t prioritize America’s interests on the bargaining table. A more flexible and corporative stance at the negotiation table will help avoid conflicts and bring in mutual prosperity and understanding.

Obama’s administration argued that the TPP could help lift 18,000 tariffs imposed on U.S. products sold abroad. If it were true, this would lower the price of U.S.-made products abroad and, in return, would increase their sales and creates jobs back at home, according to the U.S. government.

“These are just a few of the steps we will take to reform Washington and rebuild our middle class. I will provide more updates in the coming days as we work together to make America great again for everyone, and I mean everyone,” Trump said in the YouTube video.

What messages does Trump try to convey after eliminating the U.S. participation in the TPP? Will this trade exclusiveness help create more jobs and bring opportunities back to the shore? Those lingering questions remain to be seen as the new president-elect is trying to unveil a new era in U.S. history.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

180296
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

7332
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452540
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23308
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments