While President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris continue to vacation during their final weeks in The White House, President-elect Donald Trump is quickly getting to work and has finalized the details of a major international trip with deep diplomacy implications.
Where is exactly is Trump headed?
Yesterday, Trump announced via social media that he will travel to Paris this coming weekend to attend the re-opening of France’s legendary Notre Dame Cathedral, which was badly damaged in a 2019 fire.
The roughly 860-year-old cathedral, which underwent a restoration process that reportedly cost more than $700 million, is expected to hold a major unveiling ceremony this coming Saturday, December 7.
“It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social.
He added: “President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!”
Trump’s team had been in talks “for days” with French President Emmanuel Macron’s office about the visit, which is expected to be Trump’s first overseas trip since the 2024 election, according to reporter Alayna Treene.
Scoop: Trump is planning to visit Paris later this week to attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral on December 7, his first overseas trip since his election in November to a second term in office
— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) December 3, 2024
Since his landslide victory last month, Trump has been busy meeting with other international leaders — specifically on trade and the global economy.
Last week, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico as well as China that will remain in place until they stem the flow of drugs and illegal immigration coming into the United States.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau then met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, over the weekend after which the president-elect said their discussion was “very productive.”
And on Saturday, Trump warned BRICS countries — which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and others — that they would face a 100% tariff if they abandoned the U.S. dollar.
“They can go find another ‘sucker!’” Trump said on Truth Social. “There is no chance that the BRICS will replace the U.S. Dollar in International Trade, and any Country that tries should wave goodbye to America.”
No details have emerged about whether Trump with meet with Macron during his visit to France this weekend.