In a spirited campaign event at a New Hampshire American Legion hall, Nikki Haley, the former U.N. Ambassador, delivered a stark warning: the U.S. must brace for potential conflict with China.
Haley, known for her assertive diplomatic style, emphasized China’s burgeoning naval prowess, advancements in artificial intelligence, hypersonic missiles, and the alarming development of ‘neurostrike’ weapons.
Haley’s stance on China clashes with Trump’s ‘policy in New Hampshire primary
Addressing a crowd of approximately 100 in Rochester, she declared, “China has been preparing for war with the U.S. for years,” asserting the necessity of viewing China as an “enemy” rather than a mere “competitor.”
In contrast, former President Donald Trump, who currently leads Haley in the Republican presidential nomination race, adopts a divergent stance.
Touring New Hampshire, Trump asserts his unique capability to avert “World War Three.”
He defends his rapport with global authoritarian figures, including China’s Xi Jinping. This primary essentially juxtaposes Haley’s hawkishness against Trump’s isolationist ‘America First’ doctrine.
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Global tensions propel foreign policy to forefront of U.S. presidential race
Although U.S. presidential elections typically focus on domestic issues, the current global scenario deviates from the norm.
With conflicts like the Ukraine war and tensions in Asia involving China, foreign policy has taken center stage. “The world is on fire,” Haley often remarks at her gatherings.
A Monmouth University/Washington Post poll shows Trump leading Haley by a 57% to 32% margin on foreign policy trust among potential primary voters.
Jennifer Horn, former chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party, noted at a roundtable that while Haley’s approach might appeal to centrists, the Republican base under Trump leans towards isolationism.
Haley’s traditional GOP views clash with Trump’s current party ideology
Horn commented, “It’s like Nikki Haley is the old Republican Party and Donald Trump is the current Republican Party.”
Given her background, Haley frequently underscores the importance of a robust U.S. stance against China, Russia, and Iran in her campaign speeches.
She cautions that neglecting Ukraine could embolden Russia to target NATO members like Poland. Over the weekend, Haley criticized Trump for his previous praises of Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, accusing him of a “bromance” with Putin.
Last year, China rebuked Haley for her aggressive trade stance, labeling her election campaign tactics destined for the “ash heap of history.”
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Haley and Trump spar over foreign policy
As part of her campaign’s closing strategy, Haley highlights the story of Otto Warmbier, an American student who died following imprisonment in North Korea, to underscore her foreign policy principles.
She contrasts this with Trump’s subsequent “love letters” to Kim Jong Un. Trump, in return, labels Haley a “warmonger,” accusing her of eagerness for conflict.
He has expressed skepticism about further aid to Ukraine and criticizes NATO, often at his rallies.
Voter reactions to these contrasting foreign policy visions vary. Kai Taggersell, a Trump supporter, views Haley’s stance as reminiscent of a bygone Republican era, inclined towards military interventions.
New Hampshire primary shows Haley’s globalism against Trump’s isolationism
At Haley’s event in Franklin, Orde Kittrie, a former State Department attorney, supported her for her respect towards allies and commitment to international partnerships.
In contrast, Lee Sickles, a registered independent, favored Trump, voicing concerns about U.S. involvement in Ukraine.
Read Next: GOP women in New Hampshire shift preferences from Trump to Haley
