On foreign policy, Trump opts for disruption and Harris for engagement − but they share some of the same concerns

Who will represent the U.S. better on the global stage? Justin Sullivan/Getty Images by Garret Martin, American University School of International Service According to conventional wisdom, U.S. voters are largely motivated by domestic concerns and especially the economy. But the upcoming presidential election may be somewhat of an outlier. In a September 2024 poll, foreign policy actually ranks quite high in voters’ concerns – with more Democrats and Republicans combined saying it was “very important” to their vote than, say, immigration and abortion. As such, understanding where Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic rival Kamala Harris stand on the significant international issues of the day is important. And we can do so by looking at the records of their respective administrations in the three regions they prioritized: the Indo-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Donald Trump: Disrupter-in-chief In his 2017 inaugural address, Trump painted a dark picture of the U.S. In his telling, his country was being taken advantage of by other nations, especially in trade and security, while neglecting domestic challenges. To disrupt this, Trump promised an “America First” approach to guide his administration. And in practice, his foreign policy certainly proved disruptive. He showed a clear willingness...