Trump’s Foreign Policy Weaknesses

Washington – Vice President Kamala Harris is strategically positioning herself against former President Donald Trump by criticizing his foreign policy. This approach aims to attract disillusioned Republicans and GOP-leaning independents amid her 2024 campaign for president.

The Harris campaign recently launched an advertisement featuring former members of Trump’s national security team, who denounce him as a “danger to our troops and our democracy.” The ad characterizes Trump as unfit for the presidency, emphasizing Harris’ commitment to national security.

During a presidential debate, Harris directly addressed Trump, stating that allies in Europe and NATO breathe a sigh of relief at his absence from office. She highlighted Russia’s assault on Ukraine, asserting that if Trump were still president, Vladimir Putin “would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe, starting with Poland.” In a targeted outreach, she specifically appealed to the over 700,000 Polish Americans in battleground Pennsylvania.

The focus on foreign policy reflects a concerted effort by Harris to appeal to voters who previously supported Nikki Haley, the former UN ambassador whose campaign prominently featured foreign relations. At the same time, Trump has responded with his own criticisms, maintaining that under his leadership, ongoing overseas conflicts wouldn’t exist due to his perceived strength in foreign relations.

Trump has labeled the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as a “humiliation” and “a collapse of American credibility and respect,” claiming that crises involving Russia and Ukraine, as well as issues in the Middle East, would not have arisen if he were still in office.

Despite being less vocal about her foreign policy agenda on the campaign trail, Harris has committed to “strengthening, not abdicating, our global leadership” through pledges on her campaign website. This stance includes opposition to threats from countries such as China and Iranian-backed terrorist groups.

Historically, foreign policy was seen as Harris’ Achilles’ heel. During her partial Senate term, she did not sit on the foreign affairs committee and has faced scrutiny regarding her record on issues like migration and Central American relations. However, she has made strides in building her foreign engagement experience, traveling to 21 countries and meeting over 150 world leaders during her vice presidency.

As her campaign gains momentum, endorsements from more than 200 former officials from Republican administrations, including supporters of George W. Bush and John McCain, signal a shift in some GOP sentiments toward Harris. High-profile endorsements from figures like former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, ex-Congresswoman Liz Cheney, bolster Harris’s efforts significantly.

However, while many Americans favor ongoing U.S. assistance abroad, a recent Pew study indicated that 49% of Republicans think the U.S. is providing too much support. This divergence illustrates a complex landscape for Harris as she seeks to redefine her party’s foreign policy image to attract moderates.

Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, noted that Harris has been effective at highlighting Trump’s vulnerability on national security. He characterized her as appealing to a traditional Republican audience similarly to the centrist conservatism of the 1980s and 1990s.

Modern American presidents generally embrace a world-leading role for the U.S., something former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta emphasized, remarking on Trump’s isolationist stance compared to his Republican predecessors. This division underscores why many Republican voters are drawn to Harris’s commitment to alliances and democratic ideals.

But despite mounting endorsements, dissent remains among some anti-Trump conservatives. Former national security advisor John Bolton, now critical of Trump, revealed he will not support Harris either. Many Haley supporters still grapple with their options in the election and express dissatisfaction with both major candidates.

Complaints about Harris’s approach have surfaced from critics as well. Some Republicans argue that her foreign policy views do not align with traditional party lines, as Trump continues to criticize her perceived weakness on issues like Israel and terror threats. Lawmaker Mike Lawler, a Trump supporter, described her characterizations of global conflicts as “projection,” maintaining that Trump had effectively managed foreign relations during his administration.

In the ongoing debate regarding the U.S. role in international conflicts, Harris firmly states that she does not support an arms embargo on Israel. However, republicans, including Lawler, accuse her of opting for a “both sides” approach to complex situations like the Israel-Gaza conflict.

While Harris faces challenges in gaining approval from the traditional Republican base, some agree that her foreign policy reflects earlier republican values reminiscent of Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson acknowledged Harris’ growth in national security and labeled her position consistent regarding Ukraine and Israel, yet he still found it impossible to endorse her fully.

As the election approaches, Harris aims to continue connecting with undecided voters, particularly those with moderate conservative backgrounds. Her campaign is focused on reaching out daily to these individuals to potentially shift their support in her favor as election day draws nearer.

Source: USA TODAY