Biden Transition Team Unable to Receive Handover for 2 Weeks... "Not Even Providing Vaccine Distribution Information"

Trump Administration's Continued Obstinacy...Concerns Over Vaccine Distribution Crisis
Business Sector Also Urges Swift Transition..."No Time to Waste"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] President-elect Joe Biden and the transition team have intensified their criticism of President Donald Trump. Despite two weeks having passed since the election results were announced amid an uncontrollable spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the frustrating situation reflects Trump's refusal to concede.

At a press conference held on the 19th (local time), Biden criticized President Trump for inviting the Michigan state legislature's Republican leadership to the White House on the 20th. He said, "This will be another incident that will record him as the most irresponsible president in American history." According to the New York Times, the reason Trump invited the Michigan state legislature's Republican leadership was reportedly to pressure them to overturn his defeat in Michigan ahead of the certification of the electoral votes.

As Trump's refusal to accept the election results continues, the Trump administration's obstinacy persists as well. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy expressed dissatisfaction on Twitter, stating, "I had a phone call with the Trump administration's vaccine distribution team today, but they said they have not reported anything to the Biden transition team and have no intention to do so." The Biden transition team is reportedly concerned about a distribution crisis following the vaccine rollout due to a lack of information on vaccine distribution plans.

With the delayed transition increasing anxiety in the U.S. business community, pressure was also placed on President Trump to expedite the transfer of power. Tom Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told the online media Axios, "The Trump administration can continue lawsuits to verify the election results, but they must not delay the transition any further for the safety and well-being of the American people." Traditionally a supporter of Republican presidents, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's stance is interpreted as a call to avoid further chaos. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) also urged the transition in a statement, appealing, "There is no time to waste or room for mistakes. American lives and livelihoods are at stake."

President-elect Biden also showed a stance of checking China on the same day. When asked if he was considering economic sanctions or tariffs to punish China, he replied, "It's not about punishing China. It's about making sure China understands that it must operate according to the rules. It's a simple matter." He added, "That's one of the reasons we plan to rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement on the first day of the administration," and "We need to make it clear to the world that there are clear lines China must understand."