International
2023, a year of domestic and foreign policy challenges for the White House
December 31 |
The third year of Democrat Joe Biden’s administration in the United States was marked by challenges, both in the domestic arena and in foreign policy.
Intense negotiations with the Republican caucus in Congress, summits, a surprise visit to war-torn Kiev, strained relations with China and Russia and growing turmoil in the Middle East were some of the milestones of 2023 for the White House, which also featured colorful moments in a year that serves as a prelude to the crucial 2024 where the US will decide who will be the next president.
In February, during his trip to Europe to mark the one-year anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Joe Biden surprised the world with a visit to Kiev, kept secret until the last moment.
The images of Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, walking as anti-aircraft sirens blared were memorable. It was the first time in modern history that a U.S. president had traveled to a country at war without a U.S. military presence. With this, the Democratic president showed that he was serious about “unwavering support” for Ukraine vis-à-vis Russia.
The controversial immigration issue, the economy and foreign policy were among the central themes of Biden’s second State of the Union address since he became president.
The Democratic leader emphasized the need to pass the immigration reform he proposed before Congress and called for unity in the face of the economic challenge posed by the war in Ukraine, while praising his administration’s achievements in managing inflation, fuel prices, wage stability and job growth.
The division in Congress, with the Senate in the hands of Democrats and a polarized House with a slight Republican majority, has led to differences with the Democratic administration, which has translated into resistance to legislation and packages presented by Biden before lawmakers.
The far-right wing of the Republican Party has been a thorn in the President’s side. The battle to reach an agreement to prevent the country from defaulting on its debt, postponed until January 2025, was followed by the negotiation to keep the government open – postponed until the beginning of 2024 -, and now the refusal of Republicans to approve an emergency package with funds for Ukraine and Israel if immigration policy is not tightened, particularly on the southern border.
Just before the year-end recess, the House voted and approved formally initiating an investigation to determine a possible impeachment of Biden. The investigation will be aimed at determining whether the President and his son Hunter Biden colluded to benefit from Biden’s contracts with foreign companies during Biden’s time as Vice President.
In April, President Joe Biden announced that he would run for re-election in 2024, clearing up doubts as to whether the Democratic leader would return to fight for the White House or leave the way open to other aspirants of his party.
Age is one of the most sensitive issues facing the 81-year-old veteran politician. In his campaign, Biden has focused on highlighting the achievements of his first term, his career as a legislator and more recently, he has insisted that he is the best alternative to his predecessor Donald Trump, going so far as to point out that he would not have thought of running again had it not been for the “threat to democracy” that a second Trump term would mean.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visits to Washington served as material evidence of the Biden administration’s backing for Kiev in its war against Russia. Zelenskyy made two trips to the U.S. in 2023, both in the space of three months and coinciding with discussions in Congress on aid to the Ukrainian cause.
Zelenskyy has been received at the White House three times since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. The first visit this year was in September, following his participation in the United Nations General Assembly. The second was in December, returning from Zelenskyy’s first trip to Latin America after the start of the war. In total, Biden and Zelenskyy have met in person seven times during the U.S. president’s administration.
In a historic moment in 2023, seven Latin American heads of state arrived in Washington to meet with President Joe Biden at the first edition of the Leaders’ Summit of the Partnership for Economic Prosperity of the Americas.
Biden and his counterparts from Costa Rica, Uruguay, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Canada and Barbados, announced new joint strategies that will guarantee the investment of millions of dollars in sustainable projects, human capital formation and migration solutions for the region.
In addition, Biden announced a new investment platform that will channel “billions of dollars into building sustainable infrastructure”, organized by the US government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Echoes of Israel’s all-out war against Hamas in Gaza following the surprise attacks of October 7 have reached the other side of the world. The US, Tel Aviv’s main ally, was quick to show its support for the Israeli forces, although more than a month after the start of the campaign against the militant group, the discourse has changed.
From irresolute support, the Biden administration maintains its position that Israel has the right to defend itself but has now called on the Israeli government to be more precise in its attacks. According to the health ministry in Gaza, bombings against Hamas have already killed more than 18,000 Palestinians and displaced thousands in the enclave, home to some 2.3 million people.
International pressure weighs on Tel Aviv, while at home, President Joe Biden faces criticism from his Muslim voters, one year before the 2024 presidential election.
It was not all high-level meetings and negotiations at the White House. In 2023, the presidential residence celebrated the nation’s top traditions and opened its gardens for Americans to tour the history and of the iconic mansion in both spring and fall.
From the traditional Thanksgiving two-turkey pardoning ceremony, holiday decorations, the lighting of the National Christmas Tree to an ice skating rink for children of public servants, front-line military workers and school children, the White House also wanted to mark festive moments in the year.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
International
Trump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
The administration of President Donald Trump is evaluating new immigration guidelines that could deny permanent residency to immigrants based on their political views, according to a report published by The New York Times.
The proposed measures, outlined in internal Department of Homeland Security documents, would instruct immigration officials to take applicants’ public expressions and ideological positions into account when reviewing green card applications.
According to the report, cases involving “possible anti-American and/or antisemitic conduct or ideologies” would need to be referred to higher authorities for additional review.
Even if applicants have not violated any laws, authorities could still reject residency requests if they determine that individuals have “endorsed, promoted, or supported anti-American views.”
Among the factors listed in the guidelines are participation in pro-Palestinian activities, actions considered antisemitic, and the burning of the U.S. flag.
The documents reportedly describe such actions as “heavily negative” factors in immigration evaluations, potentially blocking applicants from obtaining permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
The directives also place particular attention on demonstrations held on university campuses following the 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel.
However, flag burning has previously been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court as a form of protected free speech under the Constitution.
The proposal has sparked criticism from immigrant advocacy organizations, including the New York Immigration Coalition.
Its president, Murad Awawdeh, warned that the policies could pose a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms.
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