Trump's Exit and Biden's Entry... Toward an Era of 'United America' Integration

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were officially inaugurated as the 46th President and Vice President of the United States, respectively. Biden, at 78 years old, became the oldest president in history, and Harris began a historic term as the first female and first person of color to serve as Vice President in U.S. history. President Biden declared that he would correct the U.S. isolationist stance not only in domestic policies emphasizing a "United States" but also in the international community. With the launch of the Biden administration, the global community has entered an era of "United States united" integration, moving away from the uncertainty of "America First."

On the 20th (local time), after the inauguration ceremony, President Biden entered the White House and revealed the outline of his administration's plans through 17 executive orders he signed first. These included rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO), lifting the U.S. entry ban on certain Islamic countries, and halting the emergency declaration for building the southern border wall with Mexico. These actions focus on his campaign slogan "Build Back Better" while reversing some of the achievements emphasized during former President Donald Trump's tenure.

To address the COVID-19 crisis, mask-wearing was mandated for 100 days in federal buildings and on federal grounds. CNN praised Biden, stating, "President Biden acted faster than any previous president to respond to COVID-19 and to dismantle the Trump administration's legacy."

Biden's $1.9 trillion economic stimulus plan has received support from the business sector, labor unions, Wall Street, the middle class, as well as many governors and mayors. Of the total $1.9 trillion, $400 billion is allocated to combating COVID-19, while the remainder focuses on economic relief and support for state and local governments. This includes direct payments of $1,400 per person to most Americans. The federal minimum wage increase to at least $15 per hour doubles the current $7.5 rate.

President Biden emphasized that there is no greater driving force behind "Build Back Better" than the efforts and creativity of the American people. From this perspective, he has repeatedly stressed that the job crisis cannot be resolved without addressing the COVID-19 crisis. He intends to provide necessary support to state and local governments to prevent layoffs of educators, firefighters, and other essential workers, and to expand unemployment insurance related to the COVID-19 crisis to assist the unemployed.

With the Democratic Party controlling both the House and Senate, conditions are favorable to support the Biden administration's governance. The Senate is conducting confirmation hearings for the initial cabinet appointments, and the confirmations of Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence and Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense have been approved, marking the first female Director of National Intelligence and the first Black Secretary of Defense in U.S. history among Biden's cabinet nominees.

In his inaugural speech, President Biden pledged, "I will be a president for all Americans." Whether President Biden can demonstrate leadership to remove the shadow of Trump from American society and lead toward unity will determine the success or failure of his four-year term.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.