Goldstein in La Razon on Trump’s UK State Visit
Erik Goldstein, Professor of International Relations and History at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, was interviewed for a recent article on United States President Donald Trump’s state visit to London.
Goldstein was interviewed for a June 3, 2019 article in La Razon. An excerpt from the article, in question-and-answer format is below:
Trump was one of the few leaders who was and is in favor of Brexit. Given the current situation of stagnation, can the president’s visit encourage those who want a divorce with the EU?
The visit will be used by Brexit supporters to indicate that there is a non-EU future for the UK. But Trump’s statements are always unpredictable and could have the opposite affect.
The Trump visit comes days after Theresa May announced her resignation. Do you think the candidates to replace the Prime Minister will try to establish contact with him?
Definitely, as it will demonstrate an ability to operate at a high international level. Boris Johnson is the only candidate for the Conservative party leadership, and therefore to be prime minister, who already knows Trump. Trump in the last few days has spoken highly of Johnson, so there may be an effort to have them meet, though it would be against normal protocol.
Do you think that Trump’s visit focuses exclusively on the UK’s permission for China to participate in the development of the G-5? Will Trump get the UK to change its mind?
State Visits are by their nature symbolic and atmospheric. Unlike other meetings between leaders they are not focused on negotiations or reaching agreements. Usually they are meant to reinforce a relationship, or mark a positive new phase. But sometimes they can also backfire. The issue will certainly come up, and Trump will certainly express his views. But with the UK government in transition it will be no more than an opportunity for the US to restate its concerns. Trump is preparing for his own re-election campaign and the state visit is aimed at promoting his domestic image
Erik Goldstein’s research interests include diplomacy, formulation of national diplomatic strategies, the origins and resolution of armed conflict, and negotiation. He has published in numerous journals, including Review of International Relations, Middle Eastern Studies, East European Quarterly, Historical Research, Historical Journal, Byzantine & Modern Greek Studies, and the Hague Journal of Diplomacy.