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Updated March 26, 2024

How do the 2024 presidential candidates compare when it comes to foreign policy?

With tensions high across the globe, foreign policy is front and center of this year’s presidential race. A majority of Americans support Ukraine against Russia, but isolationism has resonated with a part of the electorate who believe that aid will only fuel a conflict that appears to have no end in sight. Both Trump and Biden agree on seeing China as a world competitor, but the Biden administration has pointed out that the U.S. should remain engaged with China. In terms of public opinion, around 30% more Republicans believe China is a critical threat than Democrats. Finally, in Gaza, the Biden administration’s policies towards Israel have drawn criticism from certain groups of youth and Arab-Americans who wish for a permanent ceasefire. Most recently, the Democratic primary in Michigan showed 100,000 voters cast ‘uncommitted’ ballots in protest against Biden’s perceived support for Israel.

Here's how the 2024 candidates match up on specific issues of foreign policy:

Subtopics:

Ukraine War

Joe Biden (D)

Since the start of the war in February 2022, the Biden administration has supplied over $75 billion in weaponry and aid to Ukraine and has been seen as a key ally to the nation. He has vowed to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes.” Biden has said he would not support Ukraine’s entrance into NATO until after the war. His most recent request for supplemental funding included over $60 billion to support Ukraine. At the beginning of his 2024 State of the Union address, he reaffirmed his support for Ukraine: “History is watching. We will not bow down.” He launched more than 500 new sanctions against Russia after Aleskey Navalny’s death, stating “Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. Putin is responsible.”

Donald Trump (R)

Trump has called for a ceasefire and decreased involvement in the war to focus on domestic issues. He believes that European nations should play a larger financial role in aid for Ukraine, stating it was “stupid” for the U.S. to offer foreign aid to countries in lieu of loans. While meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, he allegedly stated he would “not give a single penny” for the war. He has called for Congress to pause military support until Biden and his son’s business actions are investigated. He was once impeached for his alleged conduct in a phone call with Ukraine’s president. 

Cornel West (Ind.)

He supports diplomatic talks to negotiate peace between Ukraine and Russia. He has rebuked the U.S. and NATO because he believes they instigated the war. He would cease all weapons to Ukraine and invest in peacemaking.

Israel-Hamas War

Joe Biden (D)

Biden expressed his solidarity with Israel and has expedited military assistance to Israel. In his proposal in October 2023, he proposed a plan to send $14 billion in aid to Israel, with a majority of that aid to bolster missile defense systems. Though he previously called for a humanitarian pause in the war after facing pressure from the public, he most recently called for a six-week ceasefire. Biden announced that the U.S. would construct a port on Gaza’s coast to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians, acknowledging that “the last five months have been gut-wrenching.” He has not proposed cutting U.S. military aid to Israel and has said Israel “has a right to go after Hamas.” During his 36 years in the Senate, he took in $4.2 million from pro-Israeli groups. He supports a two-state solution.

Donald Trump (R)

Trump initially criticized Israeli leaders for purported intelligence failures and referred to Hezbollah, a militant group in Iran, as “very smart.” He has also pledged to “fully support” Israel. He disapproved of the White House’s dealings on hostages, pointing out that American hostages were slow to be returned. Trump has said he would reject refugees from Gaza from entering the U.S. In terms of casualties, he has said that he would “probably have to let this play out.” Most recently, he declared that Israel must “finish the problem” against Hamas and avoided an explicit position on a ceasefire when asked about it. 

Cornel West (Ind.)

He would cease military funding to Israel and press the UN to establish a program supporting Palestine.

Defense Spending

Joe Biden (D)

Biden has asked for a $105 billion supplemental aid package to fund a variety of defense priorities, from Ukraine to Israel to the Indo-Pacific. Most of the aid will be allocated to weaponry and stockpiles for those nations. Biden’s proposed defense budget for 2024 is $842 billion, a 3.2% increase from 2023’s budget.

Donald Trump (R)

He proposed two defense budgets upwards of $700 billion during his presidency. He has approved over $55 billion in foreign weapons sales compared to $33 billion by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama. He has expressed interest in increasing the military-industrial base through budget funding.

Cornel West (Ind.)

He wants to stop all foreign military aid and bring all US troops home. He would invest money previously allocated for war back into American communities. He would slash the military budget.

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

Joe Biden (D)

Biden strongly supports the US’s membership in NATO and the UN. At the beginning of his 2024 State of the Union address, he praised NATO and welcomed its newest members.

Donald Trump (R)

He discussed pulling the U.S. from NATO and has been critical about the cost of the UN. He has told NATO members that the U.S. would not defend them if he believed their spending was insufficient, discussing the potential for a two-tiered NATO alliance.

Cornel West (Ind.)

He has said he would disband NATO, blaming it for Russia’s war with Ukraine.

China

Joe Biden (D)

During his November visit to China with Xi, the U.S. and China agreed to resume military communications to ease tensions. He has still denounced Xi as a “dictator.” Biden has "focused on taking steps" to stop the flow of fentanyl to the U.S. and its precursors through the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats and by taking “law enforcement action against Chinese… suppliers”. He asked China to use its relationship with Iran to keep it in line. On Taiwan, he called for restraint in military activity around it and raised concerns about China’s trade policies.

Donald Trump (R)

During his term as president, he imposed a series of tariffs on China and plans to go further to distance the U.S. from China’s economy. He has not said yet if he would provide military support to Taiwan, but he has not discounted the option. He confirmed that he would impose tariffs of at least 60% on Chinese goods if he were re-elected, potentially mirroring his first term when he imposed $250 billion in tariffs. He opposed a TikTok ban that was considered in Congress for national security reasons, arguing that it would help Meta instead.

Cornel West (Ind.)

No stance found.

This blog was written by Harry Ding, content intern (Center bias). It was reviewed and edited by Henry A. Brechter (Center bias), Malayna Bizier (Right bias), and Joseph Ratliff (Lean Left bias).

2024 Presidential Election, World, Foreign Policy, Republican Party, Democratic Party, Donald Trump, Cornel West, Robert F Kennedy Jr