Republican frontrunner denounces establishment foreign policy in announcing new plan that hinges on an unashamedly US-centric approach

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Donald Trump promised to save “humanity itself” on Wednesday, arguing he would “shake the rust off America’s foreign policy” if elected president with an unashamedly self-interested approach to world affairs.



The businessman tried to claim the mantle of Ronald Reagan as he made claims to be developing a foreign policy strategy that would “endure for several generations” by seeking peace through strength.



In his first major policy address since becoming frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, he also foreshadowed his likely campaign attacks against Hillary Clinton by holding her and Barack Obama jointly to blame for “reckless, rudderless and aimless foreign policy” in the Middle East.

Speaking before an invited audience at Washington’s Mayflower Hotel, the billionaire celebrity departed from his usual speaking style by relying on an autocue and prepared remarks to outline his alternative approach.

“I will return us to a timeless principle. Always put the interest of the American people and American security above all else,” said Trump, claiming he would “replace randomness with purpose ... chaos with peace”.

But though the half-hour speech was longer on rhetoric than usual, there was little sign of Trump dialing back on the bombastic approach that has alarmed many in the foreign policy community.

Instead he criticised the establishment approach from both parties, with remarks in which he:



Redoubled his criticism of Nato’s “outdated mission”, claiming US allies were “not paying their fair share”;

Said he would hold summits with Russia and China shortly after assuming power and seek to regain their “respect” by showing his strength;

Said Nato should instead upgrade its “outdated mission” to “confront shared challenges like migration and islamic terrorism;

Claimed there there were “scores of recent migrants inside our borders charged with terrorism”, claiming “for every case known to the public there are dozens and dozens more”;

Promised to use 3D printing, artificial intelligence and cyber warfare to help rebuild US military strength.

Though there was no overt call for war, or the restoration of torture techniques, that had alarmed commentators in recent speeches. Trump said he would stop at little to defeat the Islamic State.

“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.

He also criticised the US response to Isis oil exports in Libya, suggesting he would intervene militarily.



“We don’t blockade, we don’t bomb. It’s almost as if we don’t know anything about it. This will all change when I become president. America is going to be strong again, it is going to be reliable again. We are going to finally have a coherent foreign policy.”

The remarks on China and Russia are likely to raise eyebrows in US foreign policy circles, suggesting Trump would seek to foster a policy of accommodation, rather than containment or confrontation if elected.

“We desire to live peacefully and in friendship with Russia and China. We have serious differences with these two nations, and must regard them with open eyes,” he said. “But we are not bound to be adversaries. We should seek common ground based on shared interests.”

“After I am elected president, I will also call for a summit with our Nato allies, and a separate summit with our Asian allies,” added Trump. “In these summits, we will not only discuss a rebalancing of financial commitments, but take a fresh look at how we can adopt new strategies for tackling our common challenges.”

The speech was also shot through with contradictions as Trump at once vowed to modernise and renew America’s nuclear arsenal, then warned that high-powered weapons were the biggest threat to the world.

Trump also found himself mocked for mispronouncing Tanzania, Tan-zay-nee-uh, although former Republican House leader Newt Gingrich praised Trump and the speech, tweeting: “Washington elites mock Trump for mispronouncing Tanzania. They don’t get it. He said the most important word correctly: America. He gets it.”

Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) Washington elites mock Trump for mispronouncing Tanzania. They don't get it. He said the most important word correctly: America. He gets it.

However, the speech received a damning response from senior figures at both ends of the political spectrum.



“Ronald Reagan must be rolling over in his grave,” said senator Lindsey Graham, a leading Republican hawk and former rival for the presidential nomination.



Graham claimed the “pathetic” speech was not conservative, but “isolationism surrounded by disconnected thought” and “demonstrates lack of understanding about the threats we face”.



The Clinton campaign released a serious of criticisms ahead of the speech, calling Trump a “loose cannon” with a dangerous foreign policy that showed “reckless disregard for the dangers of nuclear proliferation”.



“Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric goes against everything we stand for,” added the campaign once the speech had started.



The Clinton camp plans a more detailed response led by former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and Virginia senator Tim Kaine later on Wednesday.

