Trump Employs Unconventional Approach to Foreign Policy During Transition
Requests made on social media have led to at least two discussions with global leaders, although experts are uncertain about the lasting effects of these interactions.
President-elect Donald Trump started outlining U.S. foreign policy six weeks prior to his inauguration, a strategy some analysts suggest may yield limited effects and could potentially breach federal law.
This approach has caught the attention of certain world leaders, resulting in amicable dialogues with Trump. However, some experts believe the more significant outcome may be that Trump is influencing public and international perceptions through his social media postings.
Foreign Policy During Transition
Having finalized his cabinet selections on Nov. 23, Trump seems to be focusing on international relations, articulating a series of demands—including some paired with threats—to foreign entities via Truth Social posts.
On Nov. 25, Trump issued threats regarding drug regulation and border safety to Canada, Mexico, and China, threatening increased tariffs on imports from these nations.
On Nov. 30, Trump cautioned Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, collectively known as the BRICS nations, that they must continue utilizing the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency or risk facing a 100 percent tariff on goods sold in the U.S.
On Dec. 2, Trump made several social media statements indicating his intent to steer U.S. foreign policy even before taking office.
He demanded the release of hostages in the Middle East by inauguration Day, Jan. 20, warning of significant U.S. military action for those who do not comply.
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Later, he expressed his disapproval of the sale of United States Steel Corporation to Nippon Steel of Japan, stating, “I will block this deal from occurring.” President Joe Biden also pledged to keep the steelmaker “a totally American company.”
Trump additionally shared a report on social media that cited a source suggesting the Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire was a result of the incoming Trump administration.
On the same day, Trump announced his plan to attend the reopening ceremony of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris on Dec. 7, a historic event that approximately 50 heads of state are expected to attend.
While early engagement in national affairs is not entirely atypical for presidents-elect, it can raise concerns.
Uncertain Territory
“Though it is rare for a president-elect to interfere in the foreign policy of the outgoing president, a few instances have occurred, generally with adverse outcomes for the nation,” stated Michael Genovese, professor of political science and international relations, as well as president of the Global Policy Institute at Loyola Marymount University, in an email to The Epoch Times.
“First and foremost, it’s illegal,” Genovese added.
The Logan Act, enacted in 1799, prohibits any private citizen from negotiating with foreign countries on behalf of the United States. “Only one president is authorized to represent the nation at a time. Otherwise, chaos would prevail,” Genovese remarked.
This does not imply that Trump has violated the law. For example, President Dwight D. Eisenhower articulated his stance on North Korea while still president-elect, but he refrained from engaging in direct negotiations.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during the summit between Mexican and U.S. leaders and businessmen at the National Palace in Mexico City on Oct. 15. Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images
Some presidents have tested the waters further, publicly expressing their intentions to adversaries of the United States through intermediaries without engaging in direct negotiations, according to Genovese.
For instance, Richard Nixon, as president-elect in 1968, indirectly conveyed to the North Vietnamese that they would benefit more from peace talks after he assumed the presidency. Similarly, Ronald Reagan sent a comparable message to the Iranians during the 1980 election. The Iranians had kept American hostages for 400 days and ultimately released them on Jan. 20, 1981, coinciding with Reagan’s inauguration.
Engaging with foreign entities before taking office can create mixed signals for both allies and adversaries, as highlighted by Scott Pegg, chair of the political science department at Indiana University Indianapolis.
“I believe [our NATO allies] are apprehensive about potential unpredictability and surprises,” Pegg told The Epoch Times.
The influence of social media on foreign policy remains ambiguous.
“I certainly don’t think foreign policy should be conducted via tweet,” Pegg stated, questioning whether Trump’s potentially impulsive posts equate to a coherent foreign policy. “In some instances, yes; in others, no. It’s important to note that this isn’t a replacement for in-depth foreign policy discussions and strategic decision-making.”
Unpredictability an Asset
Trump’s social media communications on Nov. 25 led to interactions with two world leaders—Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trump and Sheinbaum conversed by phone on Nov. 27, both describing their conversation positively.
Trump declared in a couple of Truth Social posts, “She has agreed to halt migration through Mexico, effectively closing our Southern Border. Mexico will stop people from reaching our Southern Border, effective immediately.”
Sheinbaum noted on X that she had “an excellent conversation with President Donald Trump” and informed him that Mexico’s ongoing efforts to assist migrants have improved the border situation.
“We discussed Mexico’s strategy concerning migration and I shared that caravans are no longer arriving at the northern border as they are being addressed within Mexico,” she wrote in Spanish.
“We also talked about enhancing cooperation on security matters while respecting our sovereignty, particularly concerning our initiatives to curb fentanyl consumption.”
Trump met with Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Nov. 29.
“I had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, where we discussed several crucial issues requiring our countries to collaborate on, such as the fentanyl crisis that has claimed lives due to illegal immigration, fair trade agreements that protect American workers, and the considerable trade deficit the U.S. faces with Canada,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trudeau affirmed to reporters on Nov. 30 that they had an “excellent conversation.”
A Nov. 7 photo taken in London shows the front pages of British newspapers after the reelection of Donald Trump.Henry Nicholls/AFP
In the days that followed their meeting, Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc asserted that the Canada Border Services Agency would enhance its ability to detect illegal drugs crossing the border through improved inspections, detector dogs, and advanced technology.
The potential significance of these meetings may lie in their influence on public perception. “He received the favorable media coverage he sought,” Pegg remarked, emphasizing that the combination of the presidency with Trump’s inherent unpredictability makes the tariff threats demand attention.
“From Canada and Mexico’s perspectives, their leaders must respond; otherwise, they would fail in their duties,” Pegg noted, also stating that these exchanges provided opportunities for them to address their concerns with Trump.
“It’s crucial to recognize that when Donald Trump makes statements like he does, he intends to follow through,” Trudeau affirmed. “There’s no doubt about that.”
Jacob Burg, Tom Ozimek, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
