The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The administration of new US President Donald Trump announced two key policy actions to fire off his four-year term as the United States government announced its withdrawal from a sweeping Pacific free trade pact while Trump signed an executive order regarding Obamacare.
“With tough and fair agreements, international trade can be used to grow our economy, return millions of jobs to America’s shores, and revitalize our nation’s suffering communities,” the White House said.
“This strategy starts by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American workers,” it said.
Hours after inauguration, Trump also signed his first executive order, directing federal agencies to “ease the burden” of his predecessor Barack Obama’s health care law, or Obamacare.
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus also sent out a memo to order all government agencies to immediately freeze regulations until further notified, according to White House spokesman Sean Spicer.
Spicer said that the move was part of the transition to repeal and replace Obamacare, honoring one of Trump’s major campaign promises.
Obamacare, officially the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, has drawn criticism due to a rise in premiums.
But the spokesman refused to provide details on the order, which was signed by Trump on his first day at the Oval Office. Trump was joined by Vice President Mike Pence and top advisers as he signed the executive order.
Meanwhile, Trump signed confirmation papers for his picks for Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. The Senate confirmed their nominations earlier Friday.
Trump was sworn in as the 45th US President at an inauguration ceremony held Friday morning at Capitol Hill, overshadowed by occasional rain and violent protests.
Ernesto Abella, President Duterte’s spokesman said the Philippine government “congratulate the people of the United States for a successful 58th presidential inauguration.”
“We look forward to working closely with the new administration of President Trump anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit, and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law,” he said.
“We wish President Trump success in the next four years of his administration,” Abella added.
More than three-quarters of Europeans and eight out of 10 French, however, have a bad opinion of the new US President, a poll revealed on Friday.
According to the poll, conducted by survey company Odoxa, Trump is perceived by Europeans and French as “a demagogue”, “aggressive” and “dangerous” president.
Precisely, 55 percent of Europeans and 60 percent of French people consider Trump a “demagogue”, according to the poll.
Furthermore, 79 percent of Europeans and 86 percent of French people do not think him “honest”, or “competent” (71 percent and 77 percent), or “close to people” (72 percent and 81 percent), or “sympathetic” (80 percent and 85 percent).
At the same time, the new US president is considered “aggressive” by 82 percent of Europeans and 85 percent of French people.
Trump is also seen as “racist” by 75 percent of Europeans and 82 percent of French, and “dangerous” by 72 percent of Europeans and 78 percent of French, the poll showed.