Unlikely Allies: Harris and Trump Unite to Put America First in Historic Presidential Bid
WASHINGTON.
The two candidates for the presidency of the United States have very different world views, and next Tuesday’s elections could significantly change policy towards Ukraine and other international partners.
National electoral choice
- 48% Kamala Harris
- 46% Donald Trump
Vice President Kamala Harris is largely proposing to continue Joe Biden’s agenda, although she is trying to qualify the Middle East issue; while an eventual victory for Donald Trump could mean a strong break in US foreign policy.
Few issues divide the two candidates as much as Ukraine. Trump has mocked billions of dollars in US aid to Ukraine, saying Russia, which launched the invasion in February 2022, was supposed to win.
In the past, the former president has shown admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently called Trump “sincere” in trying to end the war in Ukraine.
The Republican has suggested withdrawing US aid to force Kyiv to make territorial concessions and end the war quickly.
Trump has also mocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him the “biggest salesman” in reference to his efforts to get US military aid, despite the two holding a cordial meeting in September.
Harris has pledged to maintain support for Ukraine, saying at the September debate that “if Donald Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now.”
The Gaza War
Harris and Trump are pro-Israel, but they differ on how much pressure to put on the US ally in their almost 13-month war, which began after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and has extended to Lebanon and with the give-and-take of attacks between Israel and Iran.
Harris, like Biden, has made it clear that he will continue to arm Israel, distancing himself from calls on the left side of the Democratic Party for an arms embargo for the safety of civilians.
But Harris has also advocated for Palestinian “self-determination” and saw the assassination of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar as an opportunity to end the war in Gaza.
Trump, whose Republican base is firmly pro-Israel, accused the Biden administration of trying to unfairly restrict Israel and said he was in regular contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As president, Trump took a series of historic measures in favor of Israel, such as transferring the US embassy to Jerusalem or the incentives he gave to Arab countries to recognize the Jewish state.
But he also has a complicated history with Netanyahu, whom he criticizes for being part of the group of world leaders who recognized Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
China, key piece
Trump has relentlessly attacked China in his speeches and has promised to impose massive tariffs on Chinese goods, with the aim of boosting domestic manufacturing. But despite his statements, he has also indicated that he is open to seeking agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Harris has pointed to Trump’s reluctance to take similar steps while in office, accusing him of “basically selling us out” and that China’s military is benefiting from American technology.
In terms of international allies, Trump has even distanced himself from NATO, one of the most important groups in the West.