President Biden made some comments on Thanksgiving, expressing gratitude for a smooth transition of power as the country prepares for a second Trump administration. He also encouraged President-elect Trump to consider backing away from plans to implement hefty tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada.
During his time on Nantucket, Massachusetts, Biden told reporters, “I hope that [President-elect Trump] rethinks it. I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with both neighboring countries, stating, “The last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships.”
Recently, Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada. This move is aimed at urging these nations to take stronger action against illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the United States. Following a discussion with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Trump expressed optimism about their shared goals for border security.
Trump also mentioned discussions about the challenging drug flow from Mexico and emphasized the need for both countries to work closely together.
In addition, Trump threatened to implement an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports, to which Biden responded by acknowledging that Chinese President Xi Jinping is aware of the implications of any decisions made.
Biden noted that there has been a considerable drop in illegal border crossings since Trump’s administration, which had made border security a key campaign issue. He also shared his relief over a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, and expressed happiness about China releasing three Americans who had been wrongfully detained.
As the transition of power gets underway, Biden has made it clear that he hopes everything proceeds without any issues. He added, “I want to make sure it goes smoothly,” suggesting that any speculation about Trump’s next steps might be part of Trump’s internal evaluation.
