Can Obama change the world? (Batley and Spen Liberal Democrats)

Batley and Spen Liberal Democrats <kath.pinnock@kirklees.gov.uk>

Can Obama change the world?

January 20, 2009 7:28 PM
Originally published by Diana Wallis MEP

As Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, prominent Yorkshire individuals were invited to tell Yorkshire Post readers what his priorities should be.

This is what Diana wrote in today's paper as she explained why an improvement in America's image in the world will benefit the EU too:

BARACK Obama will have Europe's goodwill. With that goodwill should come an opportunity to restore badly battered trans-Atlantic co-operation on key security issues.

He has sketched out some changes that Europe will welcome, from climate change to Iraq, and his commitment to talk directly to Iran.

As well as trans-Atlantic relations, Obama's presidency will be shaped by the economic crisis. It will be interesting to see how the new president reacts to calls for bailouts of America's car industry.

All-out protectionism should be resisted, however, as there is every probability that Europe would respond in a similar way, so slowing global trade and reducing economic growth further.

President Obama has an opportunity to restore America's image in the world and if he is able to do that effectively, then the European Union will benefit too.