Demands made on social media have prompted at least two meetings with world leaders, though itâs unclear what the long-term impact will be, experts say.
President-elect Donald Trump began announcing U.S. foreign policy six weeks before his inauguration, a move that some experts say may produce limited results and could violate federal law.
The tactic gained the attention of some world leaders, who have had conciliatory conversations with the incoming president. Yet the greater value may be that Trump has begun to shape public and world opinion simply by posting his intentions on social media, some experts say.
Foreign Policy During Transition
Having completed selections for cabinet positions on Nov. 23, Trump appears to have turned his attention to foreign affairs, issuing a series of demands, some accompanied by threats, to foreign entities through posts on Truth Social.
On Dec. 2, Trump made a series of statements on social media showing that he intends to dictate U.S. foreign policy before assuming office.
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While early involvement in the affairs of the nation is not entirely unheard of among presidents-elect, some experts say it can be problematic.
Uncertain Territory
âWhile it is not common for a president-elect to intrude into the foreign policy of the outgoing, incumbent president, there are a few examples of this, and generally, they have not been helpful to the nation,â Michael Genovese, professor of political science and international relations and president of the Global Policy Institute at Loyola Marymount University, told The Epoch Times via email.
âFirst of all, itâs illegal,â Genovese said.
That doesnât necessarily mean that Trump has broken the law. President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced his intentions for dealing with North Korea while president-elect but did not enter into direct negotiations with that country.
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 pushed the boundary further, announcing intentions to adversaries of the United States through representatives without entering into a direct negotiation, according to Genovese.
Richard Nixon, as president-elect in 1968, let it be known to the North Vietnamese that they might fare better in peace negotiations after he became president. Ronald Reagan sent a similar message to the Iranians during the 1980 election. The Iranians had been holding American hostages for some 400 days and eventually released them on Jan. 20, 1981, the day Reagan was inaugurated.
Dealing with foreign entities prior to taking office can send mixed signals to allies and adversaries alike, according to Scott Pegg, a professor of political science and department chair at Indiana University Indianapolis.
âI think [our NATO allies] are weary of what might be coming, what unpredictability, what surprises,â Pegg told The Epoch Times.
Also uncertain is the impact of foreign policy by social media.
âI donât think you do foreign policy by tweet,â Pegg said, wondering if Trumpâs possibly spontaneous posts represent a solid foreign policy. âI think in some cases yes, other cases no,â he added. âI donât think it is a substitute for substantive foreign policy conversations and decision-making.â
Unpredictability an Asset
Trumpâs Nov. 25 social media messages prompted contact with two world leaders, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
âWe discussed Mexicoâs strategy on the migration phenomenon and I shared that caravans are not arriving at the northern border because they are being taken care of in Mexico,â she wrote in Spanish.
âWe also discussed strengthening collaboration on security issues within the framework of our sovereignty and the campaign we are carrying out in the country to prevent the consumption of fentanyl.â
Trudeau told reporters on Nov. 30 that the two leaders had an âexcellent conversation.â
A Nov. 7 photo taken in London shows the front pages of British newspapers after the reelection of Donald Trump. Henry Nicholls/AFP
The more important result of both meetings may be in shaping public opinion. âHe got the positive press coverage he wanted,â Pegg said, adding that the presidency combined with Trumpâs âsheer unpredictabilityâ made the tariff threats impossible to ignore.
âFrom the perspective of Canada and Mexico, their leaders would be derelict in their duty not to respond,â Pegg said, adding that the conversations gave them an opportunity to raise issues with Trump as well.
âOne of the things that is really important to understand is that … Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out,â Trudeau said. âThereâs no question about it.â
Jacob Burg, Tom Ozimek, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Original News Source Link – Epoch Times
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