Urgent Demand for Swift Power Transition
Emphasis on Prompt Passage of Additional Economic Stimulus
Regarding RCEP Agreement, "We Should Be the Ones Setting the Rules, Not China"
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] President-elect Joe Biden of the United States urged President Donald Trump to begin the transition process to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), saying, "More people will die if we do not cooperate." He also called for the swift passage of an additional stimulus package to support economic recovery.
On the 16th (local time), Biden, after holding his first economic policy briefing in Wilmington, Delaware, responded to a question about "what is the biggest threat during the transition process" with the above statement at a press conference.
He expressed deep concern that President Trump's refusal to accept the election results could negatively impact the COVID-19 situation. He said, "If the election results are not accepted, it could adversely affect the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines by the next administration," and added, "I hope President Trump will become more enlightened before my inauguration on January 20 next year," urging a mature attitude.
This was interpreted as a criticism of President Trump mentioning Moderna's vaccine development achievements as his own accomplishment, emphasizing that the next administration must promptly distribute the vaccine.
Regarding this, he added that if pharmaceutical companies like Moderna and Pfizer say "the vaccine is safe," he would not hesitate to get vaccinated.
Biden also emphasized that the stimulus package proposed by the Democratic Party must be passed immediately in Congress. He stressed, "The U.S. economy is heading toward a 'very dark winter,'" and called for national mask mandates and multi-trillion-dollar stimulus measures to help businesses, local governments, and workers.
Before the briefing, Biden held a video conference with GM CEO Mary Barra, GAP CEO Sonia Syngal, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and others.
Biden emphasized that "paid sick leave for workers and child care support are policy priorities," stating, "We will ensure that people do not have to choose between work and caregiving."
When asked about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade agreement involving ASEAN, South Korea, China, and Japan, he attracted attention by saying, "We need to cooperate with other democracies so that China does not control the outcome and we can set the rules."
This implies that the global trade order should be led by the United States and that cooperation among democratic countries is necessary, signaling a more active participation.
As the transition process is delayed due to President Trump's refusal to concede, former First Lady Michelle Obama also criticized the Trump administration. On her Instagram, she wrote about Melania Trump, who was the recipient of the transition four years ago, saying, "I invited her to the White House and shared all my experiences." She added, "(President Trump) spread racist lies about my husband (former President Barack Obama), and although I was not ready to forgive, I had to put aside my anger for the sake of the country."
The White House also made specific remarks about the transition. According to NBC, Robert O'Brien, White House National Security Council (NSC) advisor, said in a virtual speech at the Supon Center International Security Forum that "if Biden is determined to be the winner as we see now, the NSC will conduct a very professional transition." He predicted, "There is no doubt it will happen." O'Brien recorded this video last week.
Although he added the premise of the confirmation of the election, it is interpreted as a promise to conduct a normal handover if the judiciary's decision or the Electoral College vote officially confirms Biden's victory. The New York Times (NYT) evaluated his remarks as "the most conciliatory public statement from a senior White House official."
O'Brien also praised, "The people on Biden's transition team are very professional and already have experience in the administration or the White House," emphasizing, "The great thing about America is that even during contentious times, peaceful and successful transitions of power have been carried out."
He continued, "After the 2000 presidential election, the transition for President-elect George W. Bush was delayed until mid-December but was eventually completed," stressing that even if the transition process starts late, it will be completed without problems.
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