the issues: foreign policy
In the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump present contrasting visions for U.S. foreign policy, shaped by their respective political ideologies and experiences. Both candidates aim to advance America’s global interests but through very different means, strategies, and diplomatic philosophies. Below is a fact-based comparison of their foreign policy approaches, based on their public statements, prior actions, and current platforms.
Kamala Harris' Foreign Policy Plans
Kamala Harris, as vice president, has been closely involved in the Biden administration’s foreign policy efforts. She is expected to continue along similar lines, promoting diplomacy, multilateralism, and human rights in shaping America’s role in global affairs.
Restoring Alliances and Multilateralism: Harris, much like President Biden, emphasizes the importance of working closely with U.S. allies and through multilateral institutions such as NATO, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization. During the Trump administration, many alliances were strained, particularly with traditional allies in Europe, as Trump pursued an "America First" approach. Harris is focused on rebuilding these relationships, seeking to reestablish trust with key partners and allies. This is particularly evident in her strong support for NATO and her advocacy for shared security responsibilities across the Atlantic.
Strengthening Democracy and Human Rights: Harris has underscored the importance of promoting democracy and human rights around the world. In her public statements, she has emphasized the need to stand up to authoritarian regimes and to support democratic movements, particularly in countries like Venezuela, Myanmar, and Belarus. Her approach has been shaped by the broader Biden administration’s policy, which includes convening a global "Summit for Democracy" aimed at countering the rise of autocracies. Harris supports using sanctions as a tool to punish human rights abuses, as seen in actions against China, Russia, and Myanmar for various violations.
Tougher Stance on Russia: Harris has supported the Biden administration’s policy of taking a firm stance against Russian aggression. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the administration has led international efforts to support Ukraine with military aid, financial assistance, and humanitarian support. Harris, in particular, has been vocal about holding Russia accountable for its actions and has supported extensive sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs and industries. She aligns with a broader strategy of containing Russian influence while strengthening NATO’s eastern flank to deter further aggression.
Competition with China: Harris views China as both a competitor and a strategic threat, particularly in terms of technology, trade, and military expansion. She has supported efforts to counter China’s economic practices, such as intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers, while also endorsing a more assertive stance on Chinese activities in the South China Sea and its treatment of the Uyghur population. Harris supports a balanced approach that includes both diplomatic engagement and economic sanctions to curb China’s influence in sensitive areas such as 5G technology, supply chains, and human rights violations.
Climate Change as a Foreign Policy Priority: Harris has made it clear that tackling climate change is a critical part of her foreign policy agenda. As part of the Biden administration, she has backed U.S. re-entry into the Paris Climate Agreement, and she has called for further international cooperation on climate action. Harris has advocated for U.S. leadership in climate diplomacy, encouraging other countries to adopt ambitious climate targets and promote green energy transitions. This includes working with both allies and rivals, such as China and India, on global initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
Immigration and Relations with Latin America: Harris has taken a lead role in addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. She has focused on reducing corruption, improving governance, and promoting economic development in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to reduce the flow of migrants seeking refuge in the U.S. Harris' approach to immigration reform is more comprehensive, balancing border security with aid and development programs that address underlying socio-economic issues in the region.
Donald Trump’s Foreign Policy Plans
Donald Trump, running for president again in 2024, is expected to revive the foreign policy strategies that characterized his first term in office (2017–2021). His "America First" doctrine shaped his international actions, prioritizing U.S. interests while reducing America’s involvement in global institutions and alliances.
America First and Unilateralism: Trump’s foreign policy is rooted in the belief that the U.S. should avoid entanglements in foreign alliances and international organizations that he perceives as not benefiting the country. Throughout his presidency, Trump withdrew the U.S. from several multinational agreements, such as the Paris Climate Accord, the Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA), and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). He argued that these agreements were unfavorable to American interests and that a more unilateral approach—focused on direct negotiations—would better serve the U.S. economy and security.
Tough on Trade, Particularly with China: One of Trump’s signature foreign policy stances is his hardline approach to China. His administration initiated a trade war with China, imposing tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of Chinese goods to address trade imbalances and counter intellectual property theft. Trump's tariffs and decoupling efforts were intended to pressure China into making concessions, though they were met with retaliatory measures by Beijing. Trump has also been critical of China’s influence in the World Trade Organization and other global institutions, arguing that China exploits international rules to its advantage.
NATO and Defense Spending: Trump has been critical of NATO, often arguing that the U.S. bears an unfair share of the defense burden compared to European allies. Throughout his presidency, he pressured NATO members to increase their defense spending, threatening to reduce U.S. military commitments in Europe if they did not comply. While Trump did not withdraw the U.S. from NATO, his rhetoric created friction with European leaders who questioned America’s long-term commitment to the alliance. In his 2024 platform, Trump is likely to continue calling for allies to contribute more to their own defense, consistent with his focus on reducing U.S. foreign commitments.
Relations with Authoritarian Leaders: Trump's foreign policy was marked by an unconventional approach to diplomacy with authoritarian leaders. Notably, he held summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, aiming to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula through personal diplomacy, though these efforts did not yield lasting agreements. Trump also forged close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which drew criticism due to Russia’s interference in U.S. elections and its aggressive foreign policies. Trump’s preference for one-on-one diplomacy over multilateral engagements shaped his relationships with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other nations with authoritarian tendencies.
Withdrawal from Global Conflicts: A key aspect of Trump’s foreign policy was his commitment to pulling the U.S. out of “endless wars” in the Middle East. He reduced the U.S. military presence in Iraq and Syria and negotiated the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan with the Taliban. Trump’s administration sought to minimize U.S. involvement in conflicts abroad, which he framed as costly and unnecessary engagements that did not advance American interests. His 2024 campaign is expected to continue advocating for reduced military interventions abroad, positioning the U.S. as more focused on domestic priorities.
Immigration and Border Security: Trump’s foreign policy also intersects with his approach to immigration, particularly regarding border security. His administration famously built sections of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico and implemented stricter immigration policies, including the "Remain in Mexico" policy for asylum seekers. In his 2024 campaign, Trump is likely to continue prioritizing border security and reducing immigration through measures aimed at restricting asylum claims and enforcing stronger immigration controls.
Key Differences
Diplomacy and Alliances: Harris favors multilateral diplomacy and restoring relationships with allies, while Trump prefers a more unilateral approach and places less emphasis on global institutions like NATO and the United Nations.
China: Both candidates view China as a strategic competitor, but Harris emphasizes cooperation with allies to counter China’s influence, while Trump’s approach is more confrontational, with an emphasis on tariffs and trade wars.
Russia: Harris takes a strong stance against Russian aggression, particularly in Ukraine, while Trump has been less confrontational and has expressed admiration for Putin’s leadership style.
Military Engagements: Harris supports targeted military engagements and international cooperation, while Trump advocates for withdrawing from global conflicts and reducing America’s military footprint abroad.
Climate Change: Harris views climate change as a central element of foreign policy, supporting international agreements like the Paris Accord, while Trump dismisses climate action as a priority, having withdrawn the U.S. from global climate agreements.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer significantly different foreign policy strategies. Harris promotes a more traditional, multilateral approach focused on restoring alliances, supporting democracy, and tackling global challenges like climate change. Trump’s "America First" doctrine emphasizes unilateralism, reduced foreign entanglements, and prioritizing U.S. economic interests. These contrasting views will likely shape the foreign policy debate leading into the 2024 election, offering voters a clear choice between continued engagement with global partners or a more insular, nationalistic approach.