Positions of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on Six Key Foreign Policy Areas

This report prepared by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty compares the positions of two candidates for the U.S. presidential election, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, on six important areas of foreign policy. Hillary Clinton's positions on Russia: Hillary Clinton states that for Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, geopolitical issues are competitive, where if one side wins, the other must lose. The U.S. must show both firmness and patience towards Russia. In areas where possible, we should cooperate with Russia while mobilizing other countries to prevent negative Russian policies and limit their impacts when necessary. This is a difficult but vital balance in our policy towards Russia. From Ms. Clinton's perspective: - Vladimir Putin is a "bully" who must be "stood up to at all times because he will take everything he can." - A calculated use of U.S. military power to defend national interests. - Intensification of sanctions aimed at "increasing the costs" of Russia's aggressive actions. - Helping Europe reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas. Regarding NATO: Hillary Clinton emphasizes the importance of understanding how much more difficult the Ukraine crisis and containment of further Russian aggression in the region would have been if Central and Eastern European countries were not NATO members. The doors of NATO should remain open for new member countries. From Ms. Clinton's viewpoint: - NATO is "one of the best investments the U.S. has made." - This alliance between the U.S. and other countries is a source of our power. - NATO and cooperation with member countries should be strengthened. - New alliances should be built in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. - Strengthening relations with Israel and supporting its defense systems. Regarding Iran: Hillary Clinton states, "The U.S. will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. As President, I will take whatever action is necessary to protect the U.S. and our allies. I will not hesitate to take military action if Iran attempts to acquire nuclear weapons." Ms. Clinton: - Supports the 2015 nuclear agreement to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions. - Advocates for strict and rigorous implementation of the agreement's provisions that guarantee Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. - Supports a broader regional strategy to counter the "bad behavior" of the Iranian regime. - Supports a policy of "no trust and verify" regarding Iran, referencing the famous phrase "trust but verify" used by Ronald Reagan in dealing with the former Soviet Union. Regarding China: Hillary Clinton states, "China is one of the most challenging areas of our foreign policy. For the United States, like any other country, freedom of navigation, free access to shared maritime territories in Asia, and respect for international law in the South China Sea are considered national interests. We will not sacrifice our values or our old allies in the region to improve relations with China." Ms. Clinton's views: - Continuation of the U.S. strategic policy to "prioritize" Asia and thereby counter China's military expansion. - China must be held accountable for aggressive actions in disputed areas and maritime boundaries as well as cyberattacks. - Building trust in areas such as cooperation on climate change and containing the North Korean regime. - Pressuring the Chinese government to take responsibility and be accountable in areas such as human rights, trade, and cyberattacks. Regarding the Islamic State group: She states, "It is time to escalate the airstrikes of the international coalition with more aircraft from allied countries and to target broader objectives. Airstrikes should be combined with ground forces operations, but this does not mean sending American troops. The residents of these areas and the countries in the region must protect their own people. We can help them, and we must help, but we cannot replace them." Ms. Clinton's views: - Fighting and defeating the Islamic State group without entangling American troops in an "unplanned and wrong ground war." - Rebuilding the Iraqi army and governmental capabilities. - Continuing support for democracy and security in Afghanistan. - Helping to restore stability in Yemen and Libya. Regarding the environment: Hillary Clinton states, "We will not allow them to take us backward, deprive our economy of the benefits of cleaner energy resources in the future, or force our children to bear the disasters resulting from uncontrolled climate change and its consequences." Her views: - Climate change is a moral and economic issue and a "critical and defining challenge for national security." - Leading the global movement towards clean and renewable energy sources through "active global cooperation" and developing it domestically. - Launching a nationwide plan through cooperation between federal agencies and local governments on renewable energy, improving the energy distribution network, and controlling air pollution. - Installing over half a billion solar energy panels by 2020. - Producing enough renewable energy to meet the needs of all American homes by 2026. Donald Trump's positions on Russia: Donald Trump states, "We do not necessarily have to be enemies. We should find common ground based on mutual interests. For example, Russia has also been affected by Islamic terrorism. I believe that reducing tension and improving relations with Russia is only practical from a position of strength. Reason dictates that this cycle of hostility must end. Some say the Russians will not respond properly. My goal is to assess that." - He has described Vladimir Putin as a "strong and very smart leader." - Supports Russian airstrikes against regime opponents in Syria. - Advocates for conciliatory relations with Russia but only from a "position of strength." - Emphasizes threats and mutual interests of both countries, such as combating terrorism and controlling immigration. Regarding NATO: He states, "Our allies must participate in the financial, political, and human costs and lighten the heavy security burden that rests on America; but many of them do not do this. I will negotiate with America's NATO allies and our allies in Asia about balancing the financial commitments of these countries, but I will also consider how to implement and advance new strategies." - NATO is "obsolete." - The U.S. has taken on a heavy burden to defend its allies. - Will demand that allies increase their military spending, and otherwise will stop U.S. support for them. - Will enhance NATO's "outdated duties and structure" to deal with Islamic terrorism and the migration crisis. - Will strengthen relations with Israel. Regarding Iran: According to Donald Trump: Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, and during Trump's presidency, it will never be allowed to have nuclear weapons. In any negotiation, one must be prepared to walk away. The nuclear agreement with Iran, like many of our worst deals, is the result of not being prepared to walk away from negotiations. Trump's views: - This agreement is "disastrous" and has given Iran numerous concessions in exchange for minimal benefits. - Renegotiating to change the nuclear agreement. - Doubling and tripling current U.S. sanctions to force Iran back to the negotiating table. Regarding China: Mr. Trump states, "Restoring relations with China is another important step towards a successful century. China respects power, and by allowing China to economically exploit us, we have lost our respect in their eyes. Our trade deficit with China is enormous, and we must quickly find a way to balance this." Trump's views on this matter: - Restoring relations with China by creating balance in the trade balance between the two countries. - Imposing a 45% tariff on imports of Chinese products. - Countering Chinese cyber espionage. - Pressuring China to adhere to the World Trade Organization and other international trade regulations. - Offering concessions to China to contain North Korea's nuclear programs. Regarding the Islamic State group: Donald Trump states, "We must work with any country in the region that is threatened by the rise of the Islamic State; but this must be a mutual cooperation. In return, they must remember our assistance and be good to us. The fight against radical Islam is also ongoing within the country. Many immigrants currently living in our country have been accused of terrorist crimes." His views: - Defeating the Islamic State group through cooperation with countries threatened by the rise of radical Islam but requiring mutual assistance. - Maintaining U.S. forces in Afghanistan. - Tightening immigration controls, including a "complete and total ban on Muslims entering the U.S." - Has supported the use of methods against suspects of terrorist activities. This method is currently illegal in the U.S. Regarding the environment: In Donald Trump's view: The concept of global warming was created by the Chinese and for the Chinese to undermine American manufacturing. The federal government must end its interference and repeal some energy regulations. These interferences have gotten out of control. His outlook on actions: - Repealing Barack Obama's measures to combat global warming. - Withdrawing the U.S. from the United Nations climate conference agreements held in Paris in 2015. - Reducing federal environmental regulations. - Preserving jobs in the American mining industry. - Developing oil refineries and reviving the Keystone XL pipeline project to increase U.S. energy independence.