Trump’s Team and Their Vision for U.S. Foreign Policy
- Hawkish Approach to China and Global Rivals: Key figures like Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth advocate aggressive policies toward China, emphasizing military preparedness, countering global domination, and supporting Taiwan's independence, diverging from long-standing U.S. policies.
- Unwavering Support for Allies: Rubio’s strong backing of Israel and India reflects a focus on strengthening alliances through defense cooperation while criticizing adversaries like Iran, Venezuela, and Pakistan for alleged destabilizing actions.
- Shift in Strategic Priorities: Mike Waltz champions redirecting U.S. attention from the Middle East and Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific to counter China, indicating a move away from multilateralism toward ideological competition and national interests.
President-elect Donald J. Trump’s 2.0 team has provoked scrutiny after he assembled the list of people he wants to serve during his second term. It seems that he favored their loyalty to him and shared a Chauvinist worldview as the main qualification for their selection. His first term was auspiced by “America First,” and the whole world is watching the new cabinet. This team has the potential to influence existing political dynamics, such as the Middle East crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war, the U.S.-China rivalry, and, last but not least, its impact on Pakistan.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
President-elect Donald J. Trump nominated Senator Marco Rubio of Florida to be the first Latino to serve as Secretary of State. Marco Rubio currently serves on the Foreign Relations Committee. He has always condoned a hardline approach toward China that can cajole Trump to shape foreign policy directions.
He gave a talk at the Heritage Foundation, where he said: “The gravest threat facing America today—is the challenge that will define not just this century, but my generation and every generation represented here in this room today—that challenge is not climate change, it’s not the pandemic, it’s not the left’s version of social justice. The threat that will define this century is China.”
More importantly, he is among those who endorse Taiwanese independence that contravenes the U.S. government’s long-standing One China policy. Consequently, China has banned him over his allegations against China for violating human rights. His hawkish stance is not limited to China but also includes Iran and Venezuela. These countries were frequently criticized during the campaign trail by Mr. Trump.
Trump contended in a statement that Rubio would be “a strong advocate for our nation, a true friend to our allies, and a fearless warrior who will never back down to our adversaries.” Regarding Ukraine, he subscribes to Mr. Trump’s idea to end the war. He has echoed that “the conflict needs to be brought to a conclusion.” This adheres to Trump’s view. Consequently, Ukraine might compromise on a territory.
Marco Rubio proposed a bill titled the United States-India Defense Cooperation Act of 2024. The bill was aimed at strengthening India’s deterrence capabilities. He also mentioned Pakistan’s involvement in sponsoring terrorism against India, suggesting that Pakistan should not be given any security assistance. South Asia, a volatile region, might face a security dilemma if New Delhi is provided full security assistance through civil space, economic investments, technology, and collaboration in defense.
On October 9, 2023, he reacted to the incident by suggesting a heavy military response. “Israel has no choice but to seek the complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza. There simply is no diplomatic solution or’measured response’ available,” Rubio jotted down on social media.
He sent a letter to the administration of President Joe Biden on August 30, 2024, censuring the decision to sanction Israeli settlers linked to anti-Palestinian violence in the occupied West Bank. “Israel has consistently sought peace with the Palestinians. It is unfortunate that the Palestinians, whether it be the Palestinian Authority or FTOs [Foreign Terrorist Organizations] such as Hamas, have rejected such overtures,” Rubio wrote. “Israelis rightfully living in their historic homeland are not the impediment to peace; the Palestinians are.”
- Pete Hegseth, nominee for Secretary of Defense:
President-elect Donald J. Trump on Tuesday decided on Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host, as his next Secretary of Defense. He also served in the army in Afghanistan, Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, and Cuba. He was a staunch supporter of Mr. Trump’s policies in the first term. He unequivocally advocated Trump’s interaction with Kim Jong-un, a leader of North Korea, and the “America First” agenda. His advocacy for “America First” reflects an approach to reorient military efforts toward safeguarding American sovereignty and national security. He would likely introduce reforms in veterans’ services, and his experience from his military tenure will ensure that military policies reflect the realities of modern warfare.
Mr. Trump lauded Mr. Hegseth’s dedication to the military and veterans. “Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First,” Mr. Trump stated. “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice—our military will be great again, and America will never back down.”
Regarding China, he said on the Shawn Ryan Show: “China is building an army specifically dedicated to defeating the United States of America; that is their strategic outlook.” He expressed concerns about the limitations of U.S. military power in comparison to Beijing’s military development. He also mentioned China’s global domination goals: “They have a full-spectrum, long-term view of not just regional but global domination, and we have our heads up our asses.”
His nomination could have significant implications for NATO. He has, on many occasions, expressed skepticism about NATO’s effectiveness. He criticized its members for being militarily weak and relying on the United States’ military potential. He might support unilateral military interests over multilateral commitments.
- National Security Advisor Mike Waltz:
Mike Waltz has served in the U.S. military and gained ground experience in Afghanistan during his deployment. He believes that the competition between the U.S. and China is an ideological tussle. He has advocated shifting focus from the Middle East and Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific.
While speaking to the Atlantic Council in October, he said, “We have not seen this kind of military buildup since Germany in the 1930s. We need to begin focusing the nation on the threat that [China] is.” This may not resonate with all Americans. More importantly, he has always advocated putting pressure on Pakistan to do more to eradicate alleged cross-border terrorism.
Conclusion:
President-elect Donald J. Trump’s second-term cabinet highlights a strong alignment with his “America First” vision. Marco Rubio’s hawkish approach to China, unwavering support for Israel, and focus on bolstering India’s defense. Pete Hegseth’s emphasis on unilateral military action and skepticism towards NATO could lead to ephemeral alliances. Mike Waltz’s Indo-Pacific focus reflects a shift from the Middle East to countering China’s influence. This team’s policies prioritize national interests, hard power, and ideological competition over multilateral cooperation. Such moves could escalate regional tensions and strain international partnerships. Trump’s cabinet choices will likely redefine U.S. foreign policy with lasting global implications.
The author is a freelance journalist.
