The Trump administration is set to announce a slew of substantial policy changes that will impact us here at home as well as abroad. One of the more surprising announcements has to be President Donald Trump’s proposal to rename the Persian Gulf. He doesn’t want to use “Persian Gulf,” he’s thinking about “Arabian Gulf” or Gulf of Arabia. Tensions throughout the region continue to be extremely high. This decision is part of a broader rebranding of U.S. foreign policy away from a focus on human rights and democracy.
Moreover, the administration plans to stop any study on space pollution, an action that rounds out the strikingly regressive environmental measures. The Trump administration is doubling down on this dishonest media strategy, implementing news feeds from a hard-right network to the Voice of America (VoA). This decision immediately calls into question any claims of journalistic objectivity and integrity.
In another stunning turn of events, Trump put an end to rumors that Prime Minister Trudeau was planning to respond by turning Canada into the 51st state. As he proclaimed, “We only want to be treated like friends.” This statement represents serious progress in repairing US-Canada relations during a time of normal and emergency diplomatic dialogue between both countries.
The administration has since exempted a number of other products made in China from a 25 percent tariff. In particular, this exemption covers product safety standards for bicycle helmets and child-safety furniture, including car seats and playpens. These changes foreshadow the administration’s current trade negotiation pursuits and long-term economic strategy.
In perhaps the most surprising of his encore of appointments, Trump has nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as the new surgeon general. He praised her as a “proud graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,” emphasizing her qualifications amidst scrutiny over her connections to Fox News.
The administration’s actions are not without controversy. Trump’s past demands for immediate action against Libyan leader Col. Gaddafi in 2011 have resurfaced amid discussions about U.S. foreign policy. Questions regarding Dr. Nesheiwat’s credentials have been raised. Her affiliation with Fox News, from which she joined the department, produced a lot of side-eye about her fitness for the job.
In unrelated news, talks have begun with Trump’s acting ambassador to Denmark. They are responding to a recent, “disturbing” report that the Chinese government is conducting espionage activities in Greenland. The political repercussions of this report will likely add tension to U.S.-Denmark relations, given existing tensions over Greenland’s status.
Meanwhile, JD Vance, a close supporter of Trump, asserted during his remarks at the Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington D.C. that “the U.S. and Europe are on the same team.” Vance’s remarks are a product of the administration’s ongoing push to solidify transatlantic ties while marshalling a more realistic response to complex international relations.
Trump’s transition team is likely to run into trouble with the city planning office before too long. Finally, the U.S. embassy cannot get the building permits it would need. This development will only add additional layers of complexity to future diplomatic engagements, as well as physical infrastructure projects.
Even as all of these exciting changes are taking place, stakeholders of every persuasion are still weighing in. Kash Patel, a former official at the FBI, commented on internal investigations, stating, “That email or memo was sent out prior to my arrival at the FBI. We have not addressed that specific email since I’ve arrived because the matter’s in litigation in federal court.”