Donald Trump: 2.4 Crore Viewers for Inauguration Ceremony; Tariff Plan for China, Potential Middle East Visit
The Trump era officially began in America on January 20. His swearing-in ceremony attracted significant attention, and discussions around his policies quickly intensified worldwide, especially regarding his stance on China and his potential visit to the Middle East.
Donald Trump took the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States on Monday. The event garnered much attention for several reasons, with a report revealing that around 24.6 million people watched the second swearing-in ceremony on TV. This marked the lowest viewership since Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013. In contrast, Trump’s second swearing-in was followed by significant discussions on his policies, particularly his stance on China and his plans for the Middle East.
Coverage of Trump’s Swearing-In
According to Nielsen’s data, fewer viewers tuned in to Trump’s second swearing-in ceremony than to Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, which drew 33.8 million viewers. Trump’s first swearing-in in 2017 saw 30.6 million viewers. The viewership of swearing-in ceremonies has evolved over the years. For instance, Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inauguration saw 41.8 million viewers, while George W. Bush’s second swearing-in in 2004 had only 15.5 million viewers. Additionally, the extended coverage of Trump’s ceremony, running from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM EST, may have led to a decline in average viewership as people stopped watching throughout the day.
Tariff Plan for China
As Trump took office, he wasted no time announcing his intentions regarding China. On Tuesday, he revealed that his administration was considering a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports, citing China’s role in sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada as a key reason for the move.
Tariff Implementation from February 1
Trump stated that the new tariffs could be enforced starting February 1, and he also hinted at the possibility of increasing tariffs up to 25 percent on both China and Mexico. This decision is a direct response to China’s alleged involvement in the fentanyl trade, which the U.S. government considers a serious issue.
Trump’s Potential Visit to the Middle East
In addition, Trump is contemplating a visit to the Middle East, a region affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, he clarified that he does not plan to go immediately, as the priority remains the safe return of hostages. Trump also expressed his disapproval of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, calling it a tragic situation.
