President Biden, during his Thanksgiving holiday on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, expressed his gratitude for a smooth transition of power to a potential second Trump administration. He also took the opportunity to address concerns about potential tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada that President-elect Trump had threatened to impose.
Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining positive relationships with Mexico and Canada, stating that disrupting these alliances through tariffs would be counterproductive. He highlighted the strategic geographical positioning of the United States, surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with Mexico and Canada as crucial allies.
Earlier in the week, Trump had announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods in an attempt to address issues related to immigration and drug trafficking. However, following discussions with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Trump indicated that progress had been made in addressing these concerns.
In addition to the potential tariffs on Mexico and Canada, Trump also mentioned the possibility of imposing a 10% tariff on China. Biden, while acknowledging the complexities of U.S.-China relations, expressed confidence in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s understanding of the situation.
Biden also highlighted the decrease in illegal border crossings since Trump’s first term in office, indicating progress in addressing border security issues. He also praised the recent cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon and expressed satisfaction over China’s release of three Americans who had been wrongfully detained.
As the transition from his presidency to a potential second Trump administration looms, Biden emphasized the importance of a smooth and seamless process. He expressed a desire for the transition to occur without any disruptions and suggested that any uncertainty surrounding Trump’s plans may require internal reflection on his part.
Overall, Biden’s comments during the Thanksgiving holiday underscored the significance of maintaining strong relationships with key international partners, addressing border security concerns, and ensuring a smooth transition of power between administrations.
