Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Donald Trump in First Week at The Oval Office | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55366122
Caption:

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a meeting with business leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque


In his first few days as United States President, Donald Trump signed an executive order formally withdrawing the United States from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, following through on a promise from his campaign last year.

More so, a top Trump adviser will be meeting this week with advisers to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose Liberal government is gathering to plan a response to a possible renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Mexico is ready to renegotiate trade rules with the U.S. but says it would counter any change in U.S. policy that affects imports with a “mirror action.” British Prime Minister Theresa May will champion free trade and also voice her support for the Iran nuclear deal when she meets Trump later this week, her spokeswoman said.

Trump also met with a dozen prominent American manufacturers at the White House, promising to cut regulations and corporate taxes but warning them of penalties if they move production outside the country. Trump plans to meet on Monday at the White House with leaders of construction and sheet metal unions, two sources tell Reuters.

As for the national cabinet, U.S. Republican Senator Marco Rubio says he will reluctantly back Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, in a move that all but secures Senate confirmation of the former Exxon Mobil Corp chief executive officer.

The Kremlin expects to agree soon on a date for the first phone call between President Vladimir Putin and Trump, but there is no word on when they will meet. What is more, is that President Trump’s future actions are expected to curb Iran’s expansionist ambitions in the Middle East which only has been adding to regional tensions.