It was a speech to Americans, it was not a speech to the world, although the whole world listened to this speech – this is how Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, commented on Donald Trump's inaugural speech in “Kropka nad i” on TVN24. In her opinion, Trump introduced himself as “someone who brings a new era for the United States”
Monday is the day of celebrations related to the official takeover of power in the USA by… Donald Trump.
At 12 p.m. local time (6 p.m. in Poland) the culmination of the ceremony took place – the President of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, received the presidential oath from Trump. Later, Trump delivered his inaugural speech. He announced, among other things, the introduction of a state of heightened alert on the southern US border, the sending of troops to the southern border and the declaration of a national state of emergency in the field of energy.
“It definitely wasn't a bonding speech.”
She commented on Trump's speech in a special edition of “Kropka nad i” on TVN24 Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, former ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Moscow, representative of Poland 2050 – Third Way. – It was definitely not a unifying speech, it was a speech that positioned President Trump as – I don't want to say a savior – but someone who brings a new era for the United States after a time of decline, she said.
The minister also said that “it will definitely be an era of completely different values, non-democratic values, understood as win-win, cooperation, observing certain rules, where everyone acts according to the same rules and the smallest also have rights, but this is the time – according to what we have heard – great empires that have their own interests.
– It was a speech to Americans, it was not a speech to the world, although the whole world listened to this speech. Europe was practically not there, there was no discussion of international issues at all, except in the context of enforcing border security, recovering what President Trump believed the Americans were entitled to, she continued.
“A question that the entire European Union must ask today”
The Minister of Funds and Regional Policy also talked about what the United States' approach to Europe might look like now. – This is the question that concerns us all today European Union he must set himself very clearly and pragmatically. Of course, Poland weighs too little compared to the United States, so together as the European Union we weigh much more, we weigh a lot, and it's not like we should feel completely defenseless, because this is absolutely not the moment, she said.
– I think that on the European Union's side, it's really time for us to feel our own value. Because it's not like that United States they are only a strength and a place where life is great, and the weakness is on the side of the European Union. This narrative has somehow been set up recently, also within the EU itself, and it is not justified, added Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON