Ahead of the next January debate, democratic politicians are re-examining their foreign policy perspectives as the race continues to intensify. Below is a comprehensive politician comparison and analysis of the remaining candidates and their ambitions when it comes to American international relationships.
Michael Bennet
Michael Bennet believes in an “America first” policy when it comes to international relations, seeking to strengthen United States cyber operations as well as the United States military power. However, Michael Bennet failed to qualify for the third presidential debate held in September of 2019 but has yet to drop out of the presidential race.
Joe Biden
Joe Biden believes in leading by example. When faced with increasing foreign tensions, Biden seeks to establish the United States as the global hegemon. However, when faced with an authoritarian crisis such as the assassination of Saudi dissident journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, Biden offered no concrete policy, simply insisting that he would hear how Saudi Arabia would change their approaches to be more democratic in style. Reinvesting in the middle class and strengthening our economy should be our top priorities through international policy, he says, vowing to make deals and establish negotiations with foreign nations that only help, not hurt, Americas struggling middle class. Biden’s first moves, if elected, would be to re-enter both the JCPOA and the Paris Climate Accord, whilst returning troops deployed to Afghanistan home.
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg shares more moderate views when it comes to international tensions. Bloomberg aims to increase trade between the U.S. and China, whilst simultaneously lowering tariffs and sanctions. In turn, Bloomberg proposes increasing economic sanctions upon Russia and increasing the amount of aid provided to Ukraine. Bloomberg hopes to reaffirm “undermined” alliances in order to strengthen ties and cooperation when it comes to countries like North Korea.
Cory Booker
Cory Booker aims to progress international relations and promote national security. Booker is an ardent supporter of Israel and calls for expanding cooperative defense programs alongside Israel. In addition to defense programs, Booker maintains his focus on creating international cooperation when it comes to counter terrorism projects, believing all countries may reap the benefits.
Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg proposes reliance on newly founded international relationships as well as a balance of independence to stabilize international tensions. Buttigieg encourages increasing the economic independency of the United States and reducing the impact global powers, such as China, have on the national economy. In response to global issues involving Saudi Arabia and assassinated journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, Buttigieg proposes shutting of the Saudi government from the purchase of licensed United States military weapons. Buttigieg also sees reason with reaffirming relationships with allies, such as Israel but whilst laying the groundwork for increased communication and de-escalation.
Julian Castro
Julian Castro’s main foreign policy objective is promoting multilateralism as well as amending already existent foreign policy to compliment present day challenges. When addressing authoritarian powers such as China and Hong Kong tensions, Castro proposes high sanctions and global cooperation. In a Politician Comparison Castro was found to have the most principled perspectives. “America has fought for far too long with our own narrow-minded interests,” says Castro, instead seeking to guide America in a direction that parallels universal values. Castro remains the most progressive candidate, seeking to embody core American values and share our own unalienable rights through foreign policies.
John Delaney
John Delaney advocates for global cooperation when it comes to addressing international tensions. With the U.S.- China trade war coming to a slow, Delaney had proposed a collective of global powers creating an allied coalition against intellectual property theft, what he sees as the primary cause for the trade deficit. However, John Delaney failed to qualify for the third presidential debate held in September of 2019 but is yet to drop out of the race.
Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard seeks to promote national safety whilst aiding American allies with shared goals. In issues relating to authoritarianism, Tulsi Gabbard takes a headstrong approach. Gabbard seeks to shut down relationships with the Saudi government in response to state sponsored terrorism. Furthermore, Gabbard has been vocal against U.S. regime change war policy, believing it has proven as a reckless form of warmongering. Major policies will be proposed that help keep American jobs at home, she says.
Amy Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar aims to align with global powers with multilateral decision making. Klobuchar’s main goal is reinstating initiatives that have been left unfulfilled through the past presidency. Major agreements include the Paris Climate Accord and the TPP. Klobuchar also maintains her position on reducing military spending and increasing funding for cybersecurity, a defensive strategy, she says, the United States lags behind.
Deval Patrick
Deval Patrick views his possible presidency as a chance to reinvest in American allies and expand trade. On international global powers, such as China, Patrick hopes to decrease foreign tariffs and increase trade relationships both with the middle east and China. Patrick hopes to further support Israel and increase negotiations and presence in Venezuela. Deval Patrick has failed to qualify for any of the debates but is yet to drop out of the race.
Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders seeks to use United States relationships alongside allies to set global precedent on political correctness and progressive actions. Regarding authoritarian tensions such as that between China and Hong Kong, Sanders takes a soft willed approach, hoping that his administration and reinforced ally ships will help make clear proper democratic values and may influence Chinese conduct. Sanders vows to only make international trade deals that aid in American job growth rather than hurting America’s middle class, a process, he says, was stunted by the TPP.
Tom Steyer
Tom Steyer hopes to reinforce relationships with American allies and centers his foreign policy on addressing the global impacts of climate change. Steyer insists that trade isolation is not possible with global powers, namely China, but when addressing topics of tension such as Hong Kong, Steyer proposes creating a coalition of global powers that may be able to push back on China. Seeking a bilateral solution is not the answer, he believes. Steyer supports multilateralism and is firm that the “America First” ideal will not be conducive with foreign relations.
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren believes in setting healthy foreign relationships with United States allies whilst addressing greater global tensions. Regarding both Saudi Arabia and China, Warren proposes setting firm expectations for foreign relationships, and limiting those relationships when American values are infringed upon. In inter-country tensions, such as those between Russia and Ukraine, Warren says her administration will aid in setting up talks, but ultimately peace negotiations will have to be conducted between those two countries alone, she adds. Warren maintains that her presidency will prioritize working families over multinational corporations when it comes to foreign policies.
Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson hopes to use foreign allies in order to reinforce the United States influence on public democracy and to share core American values. Addressing international global powers, such as China, would be contingent on their conduct, she says. Proposing that the United States could block the global sales of instrumental companies in order to defend American interests. Furthermore, Williamson proposes a renewed version of the TPP if it protects American workers and doesn’t invest in jobs overseas. Williamson has also failed to attend the past four debates but is yet to drop out of the race.
Andrew Yang
Yang proposes a reset of international relations in order to more closely mirror American values. In order to address global tensions, such as those with Saudi Arabia, Yang says that the United States must re-establish relations with clear expectations in mind. Yang also proposes on using ally relationships to create a united vocal stance against outside powers that engage in foreign misconduct. Furthermore, with regards to the TPP Yang will rejoin the TPP alongside the implementation of other policies that share the benefits, he says.
With the upcoming 2020 election, positions on foreign policy are becoming increasingly important, deciding whether United States can maintain its Superpower status and guide the world in setting the international agenda on trade, monetary, and human rights fronts, a key role which the next president will have to fulfill. The democratic candidates each differ in the severity of their foreign policy and the reformations they propose. The candidates fall on all ends of the spectrum, from a band-aid like perspective on foreign policy to an outright transformation of the way America interacts with foreign nations.
