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Harris calls foreign leaders before her final overseas trip as vice-prez
This diplomatic tour aims to highlight the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration while reinforcing US partnerships and national security interests.
File photo. / Reuters
Kamala Harris will embark on her final overseas trip as Vice President from Jan.13 to Jan.17, visiting Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany. Ahead of her trip, Harris on Jan.8 held a series of diplomatic calls with world leaders.
She spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, reaffirming the U.S.-France alliance, support for NATO, and cooperation on global challenges, including the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Harris also engaged with Kenyan President William Ruto, emphasizing continued collaboration on digital inclusion, climate action, and security cooperation, particularly Kenya's leadership in the Haiti Multinational Security Support mission.
Additionally, she connected with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, discussing progress made under the Biden administration’s Root Causes Strategy to address irregular migration through economic investments in Central America.
Her outreach extended to Caribbean leaders as well, including calls with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Harris underscored the strength of U.S.-Caribbean partnerships, emphasizing cooperation on climate adaptation, food security, and renewable energy initiatives.
The final tour
Kamala Harris' final overseas trip as Vice President from Jan.13 to Jan.17 aims to highlight the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration while reinforcing U.S. partnerships and national security interests.
During her visit, Harris will meet with Singaporean leaders on Jan.15 and visit Changi Naval Base. On Jan.16, she will travel to Manama, Bahrain, where she will engage with local leaders and visit Naval Support Activity–Bahrain, the headquarters of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet. Her final stop will be on Jan.17 at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, where she will visit the U.S. Air Force 52nd Fighter Wing.
Throughout the trip, Harris will emphasize the U.S.'s continued commitment to global security and bilateral cooperation. She will also engage with U.S. servicemembers stationed at these bases, recognizing their contributions to international stability.
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will accompany Harris and participate in separate engagements with civil society, including meetings with religious leaders and families of servicemembers.
Harris’ journey to the White House
Back in 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris' first foreign trip to Guatemala and Mexico, aimed at addressing migration from the Northern Triangle, was overshadowed by her dismissive response to questions about why she hadn't visited the US-Mexico border. When asked by NBC’s Lester Holt, Harris awkwardly replied that she hadn’t visited Europe either, sparking criticism from Republicans and media outlets accusing her of deflecting serious concerns.
Despite announcing aid and policy measures to address migration causes, her defensive handling of the issue raised doubts about her political agility, as she faced scrutiny as a potential future presidential candidate.
Harris' background remains central to her historic role. Born in Oakland, California, in 1964, she is the first woman, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President of the United States. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was an Indian immigrant and cancer researcher from Chennai, whose influence shaped Harris’s values and commitment to public service.
This final diplomatic mission comes just days before President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance take office on Jan.20.
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