Rolling out a foreign policy that he said would always put America first, Republican front-runner Donald Trump vowed yesterday that if elected president, he would make US allies in Europe and Asia take on more of the financial burden for their defence, or they would be left to defend themselves.
In a major speech, Trump delivered a withering critique of Barack Obama’s foreign policy, saying the Democratic president has let China take advantage of the United States and has failed to defeat Islamic State militants.
Trump pledged to “shake the rust off America’s foreign policy” and said he would seek better relations with China and Russia.
The New York billionaire spoke the day after victories in five northeastern states that moved him closer to capturing the Republican Party presidential nomination for the November 8th election.
Trump said he would build up the US military to keep pace with Chinese and Russian military programmes but would use American armed forces only when absolutely necessary.
“I will not hesitate to deploy military force when there is no alternative. But if America fights, it must fight to win. I will never send our finest into battle unless necessary – and will only do so if we have a plan for victory,” Trump said.
Russian tension
With US-Russian relations strained over numerous issues including Moscow’s support for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Trump said “an easing of tensions with Russia from a position of strength” is possible.
Trump also said he would use US economic leverage to persuade China to rein in North Korea’s nuclear programme.
“China respects strength and by letting them take advantage of us economically we have lost all their respect,” he said.
Trump said he would call separate summits of Nato and Asian allies to discuss a “rebalancing” of the US financial commitment to their defence.
He was stern in charging that American allies have benefited from a US defence umbrella but have not paid their fair share.
“The countries we defend must pay for the cost of this defence. If not, the US must be prepared to let these countries defend themselves. We have no choice,” Trump said.
Trump said he would develop a plan to halt the spread and reach of Islamic State militants but that more would be needed beyond the use of military force.
“Events may require the use of military force. But it’s also a philosophical struggle, like our long struggle in the cold war,” he said. – Reuters/Guardian