- Obama is setting a goal of doubling American exports over the next 5 years in order to boost the American economy. Obama will launch a national export initiative to seek new markets, particularly in Asia, and hopes to shape the DOHA trade agreement, and alter export controls in line with national security standards.
- The President wants the United States to be a leader and not a follower for the rest of the world in terms of Green Technology. The President hopes to pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill that would provide research for new technologies and incentives for the American people to be more energy efficient. (The Atlantic Initiative "Global Green Recovery Task Force" has released a report on Green Technology)
- In Afghanistan, America has increased troop levels and is training security forces in order to begin troop withdrawal in 2011. The US is committed to rewarding good governance, reducing corruption, and supporting human rights in Afghanistan.
- Obama is seeking to reverse the spread of nuclear weapons and reduce current nuclear stockpiles. The US and Russia are completing talks on the most comprehensive arms control treaty in over 20 years.
Dear Atlantic Community Members:
We want your views on what Obama's diplomatic agenda, as outlined in his State of the Union, means for the future of transatlantic relations.
What will Obama's new export initiative mean for international trade?
How can the US use countries in Europe as a model to improve their green technology?
To read the full transcript click here.
For additional commentary on Obama's State of the Union click here.
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January 28, 2010
Greg Randolph Lawson, Wikistrat, Platinum Contributor (507)
Obviously, this will probably mean a decline of importance in trans-Atlantic relations in a relative sense. Nothing is going to transform overnight and it is certainly true that American values more closely (though by no means exactly) correspond with Europe than China. This will always assure a grounded relationship. However, with population growth and market explosions in east Asia, its hard to see how Europe, once the primary focus of America, can retain primacy.
As for his diplomatic agenda, he said nothing of note. Its the same thing we have heard and not all that consequential. He barely touched on probably the greatest single security issue- Iran and its program and what he did say seemed cut out and pasted from any number of other speeched.
His focus on climate change was interesting, though unsurprising as it is a key plank for his domestic political constituency. Additionally, while he did throw out some surprising initiatives on nuclear power and the possibility of some off shore drilling, he still seems not to realize that anything that costs as much as the House passed Cap and Trade bill is political suicide in an economically stagnant America.
He could have been far bolder and more focused on unleashing the entrpreneurial spirit for new green technologu by holding more carrot instead of referring to what can only really be considered an implicit stick for most industry in America. Yes, I know he made some gestures that direction, but it is clear the focus is on punishing industry not incentivizing entrepreneurs to develop truly marketable alternatives. Had he done that his clarion call for America (and perhaps Europe as well) to lead in green technology would have seemed more inspiring and certainly more bipartisan in domestic US politics.
His call for bringing about the end of nuclear weapons was another flight of pie in the sky rhetoric that sounds sweet but is not based in reality. Though I think the desire to implement a way to secure "loose" nuclear materials is wise (but what President doesn't urge for that?).
The thing that struck me the most about the speech was his sly way of constantly demeaning his predecessor and essentially attempting to lay all blame on his problems on the doorstep of Bush. While I have commented before on Bush's flaws, I find it distasteful that he continues to require Bush as a foil in order to justify his own lack of accomplishment.
The problems America faces across the entire board run much deeper than the 8 years of George W. Bush. They go even further than Clinton. They are severe and systemic. The real boldness of "Hope and Change" that Obama so readily embraced and embodied in the 08 Campaign was that he can change things by fundamentally changing politics and by doing what is right in the largest sense. The truth is, Obama has allowed much of his agenda to be drafted by Democrats in Congress who had waited years to push their specific agenda items.
Obama has not transcended politics. He has embraced predominately standard order politics (in his case of the more left wing vintage) with a shiny veneer bolstered by gifted rhetorical capabilities.
He will not change the world. He is not the leader people have been waiting for. He is merely a particulary gifted politician who combines intelligence with stature.
He may accomplish a few things of note here and there, but he is not transformational. He is actually quite ordinary underneath the star power.