Trump vs. Biden: A Non-Partisan Comparison of Their Foreign Policy Views

Foreign policy is a critical area of presidential responsibility, shaping the United States' relationships with other nations and impacting global stability. Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have taken markedly different approaches to foreign policy, reflecting their distinct worldviews and political philosophies. Let’s break it down.

Photo by Kristina Volgenau on Unsplash

Trade Policy and Economic Relations

Donald Trump:
Trump's foreign policy was characterized by a robust emphasis on "America First," prioritizing American economic interests. He was a vocal critic of existing trade agreements, which he often deemed unfair to the United States. One of his first major actions was withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which he argued was disadvantageous to American workers. Trump also renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), resulting in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which he claimed was more favorable to the U.S. Trump’s trade war with China marked another significant aspect of his tenure, imposing tariffs on Chinese goods to pressure Beijing into addressing trade imbalances and intellectual property theft.

Joe Biden:
Biden’s approach to trade is less confrontational and more focused on rebuilding alliances and multilateral cooperation. He has criticized Trump’s tariffs, arguing they harm American consumers and businesses. Biden supports strengthening international trade relationships through existing agreements and has expressed interest in potentially rejoining the TPP, renamed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). His administration focuses on ensuring trade deals benefit American workers and include robust labor and environmental standards.

Future Plans:

• Trump: If re-elected, Trump has indicated he would seek to impose stricter tariffs and trade barriers to protect American manufacturing and jobs. He plans to renegotiate trade agreements to ensure they are more favorable to the U.S., potentially revisiting the idea of withdrawing from international trade deals that he believes do not benefit American interests.

• Biden: Biden plans to continue prioritizing multilateral trade agreements and cooperation. He aims to enhance enforcement of trade rules to protect American workers and ensure fair competition while seeking partnerships that address global economic challenges.

Relations with Allies and Global Institutions

Donald Trump:
Trump frequently criticized traditional allies, such as NATO member countries, accusing them of not contributing their fair share to collective defense. He demanded increased defense spending from European allies and questioned the relevance of international organizations, sometimes suggesting that the U.S. might reduce its involvement. Trump's administration also pulled the U.S. out of several international agreements, including the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA).

Joe Biden:
Biden has sought to repair and strengthen relationships with allies, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to NATO and other international alliances. He rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement on his first day in office and expressed willingness to renegotiate the Iran Nuclear Deal under certain conditions. Biden’s foreign policy emphasizes multilateralism, cooperation, and restoring American leadership on the global stage.

Future Plans:

• Trump: Trump has stated that he would continue to pressure NATO allies to increase their defense spending. He has suggested the possibility of the U.S. reducing its involvement in, or even withdrawing from, certain international organizations if they do not reform to better serve American interests. Trump also plans to renegotiate or withdraw from international agreements that he believes constrain U.S. sovereignty or economic growth.

• Biden: Biden intends to maintain strong alliances and enhance cooperation with global institutions. He emphasizes the importance of collective security and shared global challenges, aiming to strengthen international norms and institutions.

China and the Indo-Pacific

Donald Trump:
Trump adopted a hardline stance on China, focusing on economic competition, trade imbalances, and security concerns. His administration implemented significant tariffs on Chinese imports and sought to restrict Chinese technology companies like Huawei from operating in the U.S. Trump also increased military presence in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

Joe Biden:
Biden continues to view China as a strategic competitor but prefers a more muted approach. His administration has maintained some of Trump’s tariffs but seeks to engage China on global issues such as climate change and nuclear non-proliferation. Biden emphasizes working with allies to present a united front against Chinese economic practices and human rights abuses, rather than unilateral action.

Future Plans:

• Trump: If Trump were to return to the White House, he has pledged to reinstate and possibly expand tariffs on Chinese goods. He plans to further restrict Chinese technology companies and increase military presence in the Indo-Pacific to counter China's influence. Trump has also suggested forming a coalition of countries in the region to stand against China’s economic and military actions.

• Biden: Biden plans to continue a less aggressive approach, combining competition with areas of cooperation. He aims to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific, promote democratic values, and address human rights issues while engaging China on global challenges.

Russia

Donald Trump:
Trump’s relationship with Russia was a subject of significant controversy. While he often spoke positively about Russian President Vladimir Putin, his administration imposed sanctions on Russia for various actions, including election interference and the annexation of Crimea. Critics argued that Trump’s rhetoric undermined these actions and suggested a conciliatory stance towards Moscow.

Joe Biden:
Biden has taken a firmer verbal stance against Russia, emphasizing accountability for its actions. His administration has imposed sanctions in response to election interference, cyberattacks, and human rights abuses. Biden’s foreign policy prioritizes defending democratic values and supporting Eastern European countries against Russian aggression. He also pursued a strategic arms control agreement, extending the New START treaty.

Future Plans:

• Trump: Trump has indicated that he would pursue a more transactional relationship with Russia, focusing on areas of mutual interest while remaining open to dialogue with President Vladimir Putin. He has suggested that he could leverage personal diplomacy to achieve better outcomes on issues like arms control and counter-terrorism.

• Biden: Biden plans to maintain a tough stance on Russia, ensuring accountability for aggressive actions while seeking strategic stability through arms control agreements and supporting allies in Eastern Europe.

Middle East

Donald Trump:
Trump’s Middle East policy focused on maximum pressure against Iran, including withdrawing from the JCPOA and reinstating economic sanctions. His administration brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states. Trump also ordered the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, escalating tensions with Tehran.

Joe Biden:
Biden aims for a more diplomatic approach in the Middle East, seeking to re-enter the JCPOA if Iran complies with its terms. He supports the Trump-initiated Abraham Accords and the broader goal of regional normalization but emphasizes a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Future Plans:

• Trump: Trump has stated that he would continue to apply maximum pressure on Iran, maintaining or even increasing sanctions. He has pledged to support further normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states, expanding on the success of the Abraham Accords. Trump also plans to keep a firm stance on counter-terrorism, ensuring that U.S. military presence in the region is strategically positioned to protect American interests.

On the Israel versus Hamas front, Trump has urged Israel to decisively finish its war against Hamas. He has criticized Biden for not being sufficiently supportive of Israel and has been dismissive of the idea of Palestinian statehood, especially after the October 7 attacks. Trump's policies during his presidency included legitimizing Israeli settlements and moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, actions that were seen as strongly pro-Israel.

• Biden: Biden intends to pursue diplomatic solutions and re-enter the JCPOA with stricter conditions. He plans to promote regional stability through continued support for normalization agreements and advocating for a two-state solution.

In terms of Israel, Biden has emphasized Israel's right to defend itself while also urging restraint to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza. He has called for a cease-fire and increased humanitarian aid to the region. Biden supports a two-state solution, advocating for a Palestinian state alongside Israel to ensure peace and security for both parties. Although Biden has not reversed Trump's decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, he remains committed to a diplomatic approach and has pressured Israel to avoid actions that could further escalate the conflict​.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden represent contrasting visions for U.S. foreign policy. Trump’s "America First" approach emphasizes unilateral action, economic nationalism, and skepticism of international institutions. In contrast, Biden advocates for multilateralism and alliance-building. While both administrations have identified China and Russia as major strategic challenges, their methods and priorities in addressing these challenges differ significantly. As the global landscape continues to evolve, these differing approaches will shape the United States' role on the world stage for years to come.

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