Trump Uses Unusual Tactic in Conducting Foreign Policy During Transition

Demands made on social media have prompted at least two meetings with world leaders, though it’s unclear what the long-term impact will be, experts say.

President Donald Trump greets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau upon his arrival at the White House on June 20, 2019. Alex Brandon/AP Photo

President-elect Donald Trump began announcing U.S. foreign policy six weeks before his inauguration, a move that some experts say may produce limited results and could violate federal law.

The tactic gained the attention of some world leaders, who have had conciliatory conversations with the incoming president. Yet the greater value may be that Trump has begun to shape public and world opinion simply by posting his intentions on social media, some experts say.

Foreign Policy During Transition

Having completed selections for cabinet positions on Nov. 23, Trump appears to have turned his attention to foreign affairs, issuing a series of demands, some accompanied by threats, to foreign entities through posts on Truth Social.