JD Vance and Trump Vow to Revamp U.S. Policy: A New 'America First' Era

JD Vance and Donald Trump: A New Era of 'America First' Foreign Policy

The recent Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee saw JD Vance, a junior senator from Ohio, officially nominated as former President Donald Trump’s vice-presidential candidate for the upcoming November elections. Vance's speech, which was laden with tough rhetoric against China and a call for the revival of American manufacturing, has drawn significant global attention. He criticized decades of policies that have, according to him, inundated the U.S. with cheap Chinese goods and labor, and vowed to protect American workers and halt the Chinese Communist Party’s economic growth at the expense of American citizens.

Vance’s comments on China were among the few direct references to foreign nations in his nearly 40-minute speech. This comes at a time when Trump and Vance have been signaling how their administration would shape U.S. policy towards China and its partners in Asia. Beijing has taken note, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson reiterating that China opposes being made a topic in U.S. elections.

Vance's Stance on Foreign Policy and Defense

Vance has already stirred controversy in Europe by criticizing American support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia. He argues that the U.S. should focus on what he deems a more pressing threat: China. In a recent interview with Fox News, Vance named China as the “biggest threat to our country” and suggested that the war in Ukraine should be concluded quickly so the U.S. can address the real problem, which is China.

This stance aligns with Trump's previous policies, which reshaped U.S. relations with Beijing through a technology and trade war. Vance’s nomination is seen as a reinforcement of Trump’s hardline approach towards China, a stance that Beijing is likely monitoring closely. Trump’s previous term saw him impose tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods, a policy largely maintained and expanded by President Joe Biden.

Vance also expressed skepticism about the U.S. defense commitments to Taiwan, suggesting that Taiwan should pay the U.S. for its defense. This perspective contrasts sharply with Biden’s strong advocacy for supporting Taiwan and maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait. However, Trump's transactional view of defense alliances has previously led to demands for increased financial contributions from allies like Japan and South Korea.

Trump’s potential return to power could mean heightened economic friction between the U.S. and China, with threats of significant tariff increases on Chinese imports. This has raised concerns in Beijing, especially given the ongoing trade tensions and Biden’s recent decision to increase levies on Chinese products, including electric vehicles and their batteries. Observers note that while Biden’s policies are not pro-China, they are seen as more predictable and stabilizing compared to Trump’s approach.