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'Breathtaking speed': Trump's Paris trip marks return to global stage as leaders turn 'the page' on Biden

7 December 2024 at 01:00

President-elect Trump is in Europe this weekend for his first overseas trip since his convincing victory in last month's presidential election.

Trump will meet with Emmanuel Macron after the French president invited him to attend Saturday's star-studded VIP event for the official reopening of the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral, five years after a devastating fire wrecked the centuries-old Paris landmark.

First Lady Jill Biden will also attend the ceremonies, but it's Trump who will be holding court with world leaders.

The president-elect's appearance will serve as Trump's unofficial return to the global stage, and it is another reminder that he is quickly becoming the center of the world's attention.

TRUMP RETURNING TO EUROPE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE ELECTION

"This is without question a major moment in French history and the fact that Macron wanted to share it with Trump speaks to the significance of what Trump is achieving even before he gets to the Oval Office again, said Brett Bruen, a public affairs and strategic communications veteran, and former U.S. diplomat who served under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

"He is being feted quite literally in Paris with all the glitz and glamour," Bruen, president of the Global Situation Room, added.

WHY BIDEN'S PARDON OF HIS SON HUNTER IS A POLITICAL GIFT FOR TRUMP

And Bruen and other analysts give credit to Macron for inviting Trump to this weekend's festivities.

"This is a really smart move by Macron to get things rolling in the right direction when it comes to U.S.-French relations under Trump," he said. "But let's also not forget the fact that Macron is both badly weakened in his own country and on the European continent…[Macron] may see in Trump an opportunity to restore his lost luster as the European leader who can most effectively engage with the new American president."

Trump has taken a slew of calls in the weeks since the November election from international leaders congratulating him on his White House victory. 

The trip to Paris comes a week after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hastily made an unannounced stop in Mar-a-Lago to dine with Trump after the president-elect threatened a trade war with Canada and Mexico. 

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS SAY THEY'RE THE ‘LAST LINE OF DEFENSE’ AGAINST TRUMP

Trump argued that Canada had failed to prevent large amounts of drugs and undocumented people from crossing the northern border into the U.S. and also pointed to America's massive trade deficit with Canada.

According to reporting from Fox News' Bret Baier, Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada could become the 51st state.

Trump has also weighed in recently on a number of international conflicts. In the volatile Middle East, the president-elect warned this week in a social media post that there would be "ALL HELL TO PAY" if Hamas does not release all the hostages held in Gaza before he is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

News of Trump's invitation to Paris came earlier this week as President Biden was on a history-making trip to Angola, as he became the first American president to visit the sub-Saharan African nation.

But Biden, likely on his last overseas trip before Trump takes over in the White House next month, is already being overshadowed on the world stage by his predecessor and successor.

"While President-elect [Trump] is still weeks away from taking the oath of office, loyalties and the attention of world leaders has shifted to the incoming President and from Washington to Mar-a-lago with breathtaking speed," Wayne Lesperance, a veteran political scientist and president of New England College, told Fox News.

Matt Mowers, a veteran GOP national public affairs strategist and former diplomat at the State Department during Trump's first administration, made the case that "Biden’s essentially been a lame duck" for months and that "world leaders have been shifting their gaze to the next administration.

While members of the Biden White House would likely disagree with such sentiments - especially after the current administration played a large role in hammering out the cease-fire that halted fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah - it is undeniable that world leaders have already started to engage directly with the incoming president and administration.

While the spotlight traditionally shifts from the outgoing to the incoming president, Mowers argued that "it is more pronounced this time because the difference in the Biden and Trump approach to foreign policy is so different."

Mowers emphasized that Trump is already aiming "to shape world events" by "being bold, not timid, in the statements he’s putting out, and the world is already reacting to that kind of American strength."

"World leaders that want to get something done… have to engage with Trump," he added.

Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist who served at the State Department during Trump's first term, told Fox News that "the world is demanding leadership" and that "the Oval Office has been replaced by Mar-a-Lago."

Lesperance, pointing to Biden's swing through Africa, noted that lame duck presidents' final weeks are "usually filled with celebratory moments and efforts to cement one’s legacy. Often the focus is on their role on the world stage on behalf of America and its allies.'

However, he argued that "Biden’s pronouncements on Ukraine, Gaza and the importance of climate change go largely ignored by world leaders. Instead, they focus on Trump’s picks for his foreign policy team and pronouncements about changes in U.S. foreign policy position. It’s pretty evident that while Biden attempts a victory tour, the world has turned the page."

Trump trumps Biden as president-elect overshadows White House incumbent on world stage

5 December 2024 at 01:00

President Biden is returning to the White House after a history-making trip to Angola this week, as Biden became the first American president to visit the sub-Saharan African nation.

But Biden, likely on his last overseas trip before President-elect Donald Trump takes over in the White House next month, is already being overshadowed on the world stage by his predecessor and successor.

"While President-elect is still weeks away from taking the oath of office, loyalties and the attention of world leaders has shifted to the incoming President and from Washington to Mar-a-lago with breathtaking speed," Wayne Lesperance, a veteran political scientist and president of New England College, told Fox News.

Matt Mowers, a veteran GOP national public affairs strategist and former diplomat at the State Department during Trump's first administration, made the case that "Joe Biden’s essentially been a lame duck" for months and that "world leaders have been shifting their gaze to the next administration."

WHAT TRUMP TOLD CANADA'S LEADER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS 

While members of the Biden White House would likely disagree with such sentiments - especially after the current administration played a large role in hammering out the cease-fire that halted fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah - it is undeniable that world leaders have already started to engage directly with the incoming president and administration.

TRUMP GETS READY TO MAKE A SPLASH ON THE WORLD STAGE

Trump will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron after the French president invited him to attend Saturday's star-studded VIP event for the official reopening of the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral, five years after a devastating fire wrecked the Paris landmark.

The president-elect's appearance will serve as Trump's unofficial return to the global stage, and it is another reminder that he is quickly becoming the center of the world's attention.

The trip to Paris comes a week after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hastily made an unannounced stop in Mar-a-Lago to dine with Trump after the president-elect threatened a trade war with Canada and Mexico. 

Trump argued that Canada had failed to prevent large amounts of drugs and undocumented people from crossing the northern border into the U.S. and also pointed to America's massive trade deficit with Canada.

According to reporting from Fox News' Bret Baier, Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada could become the 51st state.

Trump also weighed in this week in the volatile Middle East, warning in a social media post that there would be "ALL HELL TO PAY" if Hamas does not release all the hostages held in Gaza before he is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

Hours later, Trump pledged to block the purchase of U.S. Steel - a top American manufacturer - by the Japanese company Nippon Steel.

"I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan," Trump said on social media. "As President, I will block this deal from happening."

Trump, who reiterated comments he made earlier this year on the presidential campaign trail, is on the same page as Biden, who has vowed that U.S. Steel will remain American-owned.

Biden's trip to Africa is putting a spotlight on his administration's commitment to the continent, which has increasingly been courted by massive investments from China. Biden is also highlighting America's wide-ranging effort to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa, a continent Trump never visited during his first term in the White House.

However, the president's trip was overshadowed by Trump's upcoming stop in France, as the president-elect is increasingly courted by world leaders.

While the spotlight traditionally shifts from the outgoing to the incoming president, Mowers argued that "it is more pronounced this time because the difference in the Biden and Trump approach to foreign policy is so different."

Mowers emphasized that Trump is already aiming "to shape world events" by "being bold, not timid, in the statements he’s putting out, and the world is already reacting to that kind of American strength."

"World leaders that want to get something done… have to engage with Trump," he added.

Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist who served at the State Department during Trump's first term, told Fox News that "the world is demanding leadership" and that "the Oval Office has been replaced by Mar-a-Lago."

Lesperance, pointing to Biden's swing through Africa, noted that lame duck presidents' final weeks are "usually filled with celebratory moments and efforts to cement one’s legacy. Often the focus is on their role on the world stage on behalf of America and its allies.'

However, he argued that "Biden’s pronouncements on Ukraine, Gaza and the importance of climate change go largely ignored by world leaders. Instead, they focus on Trump’s picks for his foreign policy team and pronouncements about changes in U.S. foreign policy position. It’s pretty evident that while Biden attempts a victory tour, the world has turned the page."

Mar-a-Lago trumps White House as president-elect overshadows Biden on world stage

3 December 2024 at 08:29

President Biden enjoyed a warm welcome from a crowd of thousands as he arrived in Angola this week, as the president made good on his long awaited first visit to sub-Saharan Africa.

Biden, likely on his last overseas trip before President-elect Donald Trump takes over in the White House next month, is already being overshadowed on the world stage by his predecessor and successor.

"The Oval Office has been replaced by Mar-a-Lago," Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist who served at the State Department during Trump's first term, told Fox News.

Additionally, Matt Mowers, a veteran GOP national public affairs strategist and former diplomat at the State Department during Trump's first administration, made the case that "Joe Biden’s essentially been a lame duck" for months and that "world leaders have been shifting their gaze to the next administration."

WHAT TRUMP TOLD CANADA'S LEADER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS 

Wayne Lesperance, a veteran political scientist and president of New England College, highlighted that "while President-elect is still weeks away from taking the oath of office, loyalties and the attention of world leaders has shifted to the incoming President and from Washington to Mar-a-lago with breathtaking speed."

While members of the Biden White House would likely disagree with such sentiments - especially after the current administration played a large role in hammering out the cease-fire that halted fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah - it is undeniable that world leaders have already started to engage directly with the incoming president and administration.

TRUMP GETS READY TO MAKE A SPLASH ON THE WORLD STAGE

Trump will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron after the French president invited him to attend Saturday's star-studded VIP event for the official reopening of the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral, five years after a devastating fire wrecked the Paris landmark.

The president-elect's appearance will serve as Trump's unofficial return to the global stage, and it is another reminder that he is quickly becoming the center of the world's attention.

The trip to Paris comes a week after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hastily made an unannounced stop in Mar-a-Lago to dine with Trump after the president-elect threatened a trade war with Canada and Mexico. 

Trump argued that Canada had failed to prevent large amounts of drugs and undocumented people from crossing the northern border into the U.S. and also pointed to America's massive trade deficit with Canada.

According to reporting from Fox News' Bret Baier, Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada could become the 51st state.

Trump also weighed in this week in the volatile Middle East, warning in a social media post that there would be "ALL HELL TO PAY" if Hamas does not release all the hostages held in Gaza before he is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

Hours later, Trump pledged to block the purchase of U.S. Steel - a top American manufacturer - by the Japanese company Nippon Steel.

"I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan," Trump said on social media. "As President, I will block this deal from happening."

Trump, who reiterated comments he made earlier this year on the presidential campaign trail, is on the same page as Biden, who has vowed that U.S. Steel will remain American-owned.

Biden's trip to Africa is putting a spotlight on his administration's commitment to the continent, which has increasingly been courted by massive investments from China. Biden is also highlighting America's wide-ranging effort to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa, a continent Trump never visited during his first term in the White House.

However, the president's trip will be overshadowed by Trump's upcoming stop in France, as the president-elect is increasingly courted by world leaders.

While the spotlight traditionally shifts from the outgoing to the incoming president, Mowers argued that "it is more pronounced this time because the difference in the Biden and Trump approach to foreign policy is so different."

Mowers emphasized that Trump is already aiming "to shape world events" by "being bold, not timid, in the statements he’s putting out, and the world is already reacting to that kind of American strength."

Bartlett noted that "the world is demanding leadership." Mowers added that "world leaders that want to get something done… have to engage with Trump."

Lesperance, pointing to Biden's swing through Africa, noted that lame duck presidents' final weeks are "usually filled with celebratory moments and efforts to cement one’s legacy. Often the focus is on their role on the world stage on behalf of America and its allies.'

However, he argued that "Biden’s pronouncements on Ukraine, Gaza and the importance of climate change go largely ignored by world leaders. Instead, they focus on Trump’s picks for his foreign policy team and pronouncements about changes in U.S. foreign policy position. It’s pretty evident that while Biden attempts a victory tour, the world has turned the page."

Trump suggests Canada become 51st state after Trudeau said tariff would kill economy: sources

2 December 2024 at 17:20

President-elect Trump suggested to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week that if a tariff for failing to address trade and immigration issues would kill the neighbor to the north’s economy, maybe it should become the 51st state, sources told Fox News.

Last Friday, Trudeau flew to Mar-a-Lago unannounced after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Specifically, Trump is threatening to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico over their failures to curb the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs from those countries into the U.S.

Now, new details are beginning to emerge about the meeting between the two men, which Trump called "very productive."

Before nibbling on crab cocktail and slurping down oysters, the issues of tariffs, border security and trade deficits were front and center.

TRUMP BOASTS OF ‘VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING’ WITH CANADIAN PM TRUDEAU AT MAR-A-LAGO

According to two people at the table who heard the discussion, Trump, while cordial and welcoming, was very direct when it came to what he wants from his counterpart to the North.

Paraphrasing the discussion, Trump told Trudeau that Canada has failed the U.S. border by allowing large amounts of drugs and people across the border, including illegal immigrants from over 70 different countries.

Sources say Trump became more animated when it came to the U.S. trade deficit with Canada, which he estimated to be more than $100 billion.

MUSK, STALLONE AMONG STAR-STUDDED NAMES PARTYING AT TRUMP'S MAR-A-LAGO CLUB FOR THANKSGIVING

The president-elect told the prime minister if Canada cannot fix the border issues and trade deficit, he will levy a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods on day one when he returns to office.

Trudeau told Trump he cannot levy the tariff because it would kill the Canadian economy completely. Trump replied – asking, so your country can't survive unless it's ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion? 

Trump then suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state, which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously, sources told Fox News.

MEXICAN PRESIDENT MIGHT BE CHANGING VIEW ON US AS TRUMP WIN SENDS WARNING TO RULING SOCIALISTS 

But he continued, telling Trudeau that prime minister is a better title, though he could still be governor of the 51st state.

Sources told Fox News someone at the table chimed in and advised Trump that Canada would be a very liberal state, which received even more laughter. Trump suggested that Canada could possibly become two states: a conservative and a liberal one.

He told Trudeau that if he cannot handle his list of demands without ripping the U.S. off in trade, maybe Canada should really become a state or two and Trudeau could become a governor.

While sources say the exchange got many laughs, Trump delivered the message that he expected change by January 20.

The nearly three-hour conversation continued about various other topics, and at the end, the Canadian guests called the dinner "very friendly and very positive," though no reference was made about becoming the 51st state.

Fox News Digital has reached out to both the Trump camp and Trudeau’s team about the statements, though neither immediately responded.

US sees surge in Indian immigrants at border with Canada

1 December 2024 at 12:18

Attempted border crossings by illegal immigrants from Indian nationals have surged at the U.S. border with Canada in recent years.

Nearly 44,000 Indian nationals attempted to cross the U.S.-Canadian border illegally in fiscal 2024, up from about 30,000 in fiscal 2023 and 17,331 in fiscal 2022, according to the most recent numbers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection data portal.

Indian nationals were the most commonly encountered nationality at the northern border among those tracked last fiscal year, representing roughly 22% of the 198,929 total land border encounters at the U.S.-Canada border in fiscal 2024.

TRUMP BOASTS OF 'VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING' WITH CANADIAN PM TRUDEAU AT MAR-A-LAGO

The latest numbers come as President-elect Trump prepares to take office for a second time, with renewed promises of border security being one of the former president’s favorite selling points on the campaign trail.

Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Friday, with Trump saying the two leaders had a "very productive" conversation, including talks about border security.

"We discussed many important topics that will require both countries to work together to address, like the fentanyl and drug crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of illegal immigration, fair trade deals that do not jeopardize American workers and the massive trade deficit the U.S. has with Canada," Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday.

"I made it very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our citizens become victims to the scourge of this drug epidemic, caused mainly by the drug cartels, and fentanyl pouring in from China. Too much death and hardship!"

MEXICAN PRESIDENT MIGHT BE CHANGING VIEW ON US AS TRUMP WIN SENDS WARNING TO RULING SOCIALISTS 

The Canadian government has already moved to stiffen its border policies amid strained relations with the U.S., according to a September Financial Times report, starting with a rollback of its permissive worker visa program.

"U.S. lawmakers are calling to harden the northern border with Canada because of the fears of illegal migration from Canada," Glenn Cowan, the founder and chief executive of the security company One9, told the Financial Times. "Stemming the flow of these visas will bolster U.S. relations."

That work could become more important as the Canadian government prepares to once again work with Trump, who in the past has threatened to impose tariffs on both Canada and Mexico.

Trump did not say on Saturday whether such tariffs were still on the table after his talks with Trudeau, though he made clear the two leaders also discussed energy, trade and relations in the Arctic.

"All are vital issues that I will be addressing on my first days back in office, and before," Trump said.

Trump boasts of 'very productive meeting' with Canadian PM Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago

30 November 2024 at 13:29

President-elect Trump says he had a "very productive meeting" with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday. 

Trudeau jetted into Mar-a-Lago unannounced on Friday just days after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Trump is threatening to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico over failures by both nations to curb the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs from those countries into the U.S. 

"We discussed many important topics that will require both countries to work together to address, like the fentanyl and drug crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of illegal immigration, fair trade deals that do not jeopardize American workers and the massive trade deficit the U.S. has with Canada," Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday.

MUSK, STALLONE AMONG STAR-STUDDED NAMES PARTYING AT TRUMP'S MAR-A-LAGO CLUB FOR THANKSGIVING

"I made it very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our citizens become victims to the scourge of this drug epidemic, caused mainly by the drug cartels, and fentanyl pouring in from China. Too much death and hardship!"

Trump wrote that Trudeau, who has been serving as prime minister of Canada since 2015, made a commitment to work with the U.S. to "end this terrible devastation of U.S. families."

U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. On immigration, Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian border between October 2023 and September 2024 — and Canadian officials say they are ready to make new investments in border security.

MEXICAN PRESIDENT MIGHT BE CHANGING VIEW ON US AS TRUMP WIN SENDS WARNING TO RULING SOCIALISTS 

Trump said the pair also spoke about many other important topics, including energy, trade and the Arctic, although he did not go into further detail. 

"All are vital issues that I will be addressing on my first days back in office, and before," Trump concluded, without saying whether tariffs were still on or off the table. 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, after speaking with Trump on the telephone, said Thursday she was confident a tariff war with Washington would be averted.

Sen.-elect Dave McCormick, R-Pa., posted a picture to X late Friday showing him at a Mar-a-Lago dinner table along with President-elect Trump, Trudeau, and Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, among others. The ritzy club has been a hive of activity since President-elect Trump’s historic election win over Vice President Harris earlier this month as the 45th president co-ordinates his transition back to the Oval Office. 

Tech billionaires Elon Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg have also met Trump at the famous location, along with many of those nominated for top roles in the incoming administration. Trump selected Musk to lead an outside advisory panel known as the "Department of Government Efficiency" to slash waste in the federal government.

As he was leaving his West Palm Beach hotel, Trudeau stopped briefly to answer a reporter’s question about the dinner meeting, saying it had been "an excellent conversation."

An official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said it had been a "positive, wide-ranging dinner that lasted three hours." 

The official said other topics included defense, Ukraine, NATO, China, the Middle East and pipelines, as well as the Group of Seven meeting in Canada next year.

Fox News’ Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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