Trump's Call Conduct: Hanging Up On Austria's Leader

In February 2019, US President Donald Trump and Austrian Chancellor Kurz held a bilateral meeting at the White House. The two leaders discussed immigration, trade, and economic and defense cooperation. Trump and Kurz also exchanged pleasantries, with Trump acknowledging Austria as a beautiful country and Kurz noting the country's economic strength and active membership in the European Union. Kurz expressed his hope for productive discussions on bilateral relations and EU-US relations. The meeting was described as a reflection of the great relationship between the two countries.

Trump and Austrian Chancellor Kurz discuss trade and immigration in 2019

On February 20, 2019, US President Donald Trump hosted Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz at the White House. Kurz, at 32 years old, was Europe's youngest head of state and led the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). He had taken office in December 2017, after running a campaign that took a hard line on immigration.

During their meeting, Trump and Kurz discussed trade and immigration. Trump noted that the US had a "very big trade presence" and a "great trade relationship" with Austria. He also stated that the US was trying to negotiate a deal with the European Union on auto tariffs, but if a deal could not be reached, the US would impose tariffs. Kurz, for his part, emphasized Austria's economic strength and its role as an active member of the European Union. He expressed his hope that the meeting would address bilateral relations, as well as the relationship between the EU and the US, with the aim of promoting economic growth for both.

Kurz's visit to the White House came after he ruffled feathers in Europe for his anti-immigration policies. He had opposed refugee resettlement, instituted a burqa ban, and criticized German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to accept nearly a million refugees in 2015. Kurz also helped organize the shutdown of the overland Balkan route, which was used by many migrants from the Middle East to enter Europe. In addition, Austria, under Kurz, joined Hungary in refusing to sign a UN migration pact, drawing criticism from the European Commission.

Despite their differences on trade and immigration, Kurz praised Trump for his foreign policy, particularly his support of Israel and efforts to secure peace on the Korean peninsula. Trump, in turn, complimented Kurz on his leadership and Austria's beauty.

Trump announces Arthur Graham Fisher as his pick for US ambassador to Austria

On Monday, December 16, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his nominations for US ambassadors to five countries, including Austria. In a series of posts on his 'Truth Social' platform, Trump named Arthur Graham Fisher, the president of Fisher Realty, as his pick for the US ambassador to Austria. Fisher is a real estate president and has been a staunch supporter of America First policies, according to Trump.

Trump wrote, "I am pleased to announce that I will nominate Arthur Graham Fisher as the next United States Ambassador to the Republic of Austria. Art is President of Fisher Realty, a full-service real estate firm founded in 1977, with three offices in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. He has been consistently ranked as a top broker in the area and the State of North Carolina, representing many of the most astute clients in America. Art has been a staunch supporter of America First Policies, and will make us proud in Austria!"

Fisher's nomination, along with the other ambassadorial picks, will need to be confirmed by the US Senate.

Austrian Chancellor Nehammer congratulates Trump on his 2024 election victory

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer congratulated Donald Trump on his 2024 election victory, describing their phone call as "very friendly and forward-looking." Nehammer, who leads the People's Party (OeVP), took to social media to share the news of his conversation with the U.S. President-elect, where they discussed key topics such as energy security, economic and defense cooperation, and strengthening the ties between the two nations.

Nehammer was one of the first foreign leaders to offer congratulations to Trump, doing so shortly after Fox News projected the Republican candidate's victory over Democrat Kamala Harris. The Austrian Chancellor's call with Trump comes as the President-elect is in the process of announcing his ambassador picks for various countries, including Austria. Trump has chosen Art Fisher, a real estate agent and member of the Trumpettes, as his ambassador to Austria. Fisher has been described by Trump as "a top broker" who "will make us proud in Austria."

The friendly call between Nehammer and Trump stands in contrast to a 2019 meeting between Trump and former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, where Trump threatened to impose auto tariffs on Europe if a deal couldn't be reached. At the time, Trump described the EU as "very tough" and "very difficult" to negotiate with. However, the tone of Trump's conversation with Nehammer suggests a more positive direction for U.S.-Austrian relations in the upcoming term.

As Trump prepares for his return to the White House, he continues to receive congratulations from world leaders and make diplomatic connections, with Nehammer's call serving as an early step in fostering international cooperation during his upcoming presidency.

Trump and Chancellor Kurz discuss Russia and the Middle East

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz at the White House on February 20, 2019. Kurz, the youngest head of government in the world at the time, had risen to power in less than a decade, and his success was attributed to his ideological flexibility and effective communication skills.

During their meeting, Trump and Kurz discussed various topics, including immigration, trade, and economic growth. Kurz also mentioned international issues, such as the Middle East and Russia, as potential areas for discussion. While Austria is a small country, Kurz highlighted its economic strength and its active membership in the European Union. He expressed his hope to strengthen bilateral relations between Austria and the United States, as well as improve ties between the EU and the U.S.

Kurz's visit to the White House signalled his distinguished status and representation of the future of European politics. Despite their differences on many transatlantic issues, Kurz offered a cooperative approach with the U.S., particularly regarding trade. He urged Europe to expedite trade talks with the U.S. to avoid further tariffs that would harm Austrian workers. Kurz's flexible attitude and pragmatic approach to international relations were well-received by the Trump administration.

In terms of foreign policy, Kurz had a history of pursuing a balanced approach between Russia and the United States. He had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin four times in the previous year and viewed Austria as a bridge between east and west. Kurz's stance on Russia may have been of interest to Trump, who had expressed a desire to engage with Putin and end the arms race. While the discussions between Trump and Kurz primarily focused on other topics, the potential for collaboration on Russia-related issues existed.

Trump and Chancellor Kurz have a very good relationship

During a bilateral meeting between President Trump and Federal Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, on February 20, 2019, Trump praised their relationship, calling it "tremendous" and "long term". He also highlighted their strong trade ties, stating that the US has a "very big trade presence" and a "very good relationship on trade" with Austria. Chancellor Kurz reciprocated the positive sentiment, expressing his pleasure at being received by Trump in the White House. He acknowledged Austria's small size but highlighted its economic strength and active membership in the European Union.

Trump and Kurz proceeded to discuss various topics, including trade, economic growth, and international issues such as the Middle East, Korea, and Russia. Trump expressed his willingness to negotiate a deal with the European Union on trade, while also mentioning the possibility of imposing auto tariffs if a deal could not be reached. He also acknowledged the long-standing relationship between the US and Austria, referring to it as "great".

Trump complimented Kurz on his youth, stating, "you are a young guy. That's pretty good." Kurz responded humorously, acknowledging that his age was an advantage that would improve with time. Trump agreed, stating, "someday you won't be saying it." This light-hearted exchange demonstrates a level of comfort and amicability between the two leaders.

In summary, President Trump and Chancellor Kurz appeared to have a positive and respectful relationship, focusing on shared interests and mutual goals during their bilateral meeting. Their discussion covered a range of important topics, and both leaders seemed keen to strengthen the relationship between their countries.

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