Donald Trump entered the White House with no government or foreign policy experience. His 2016 campaign rhetoric suggested significant changes and promised an 'America First' foreign policy. During the course of the next four years, Trump brought strain in relationships with solid US allies, engaged in new friendships that left many surprised and also spoke widely about these countries.We take a look at some of Donald Trump's most notable statements made on countries that have been key to United States' foreign policy.
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India: During Donald Trump’s visit to India in February 2020, the current US President spoke strongly about friendship between the two countries saying, “America loves, America respects and America will be faithful and loyal friends to the Indian people."
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Pakistan: On January 1, 2018, Donald Trump slammed earlier governments for ‘foolishly’ giving Pakistan more than $33billion in aid over the last 15 years. He added, “They (Pakistan) have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools."
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China: Despite signing a ‘phase one’ deal with Beijing at the start of 2020, Trump’s tone changed and he began referring to coronavirus as China virus. On May 28, 2020, Donald Trump tweeted, “All over the World the CoronaVirus, a very bad "gift" from China, marches on. Not good!"
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Iran: Following a US air strike in Iraq that killed Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised "severe revenge". In response Trump tweeted, “Any attack by Iran, in any form, against the United States will be met with an attack on Iran that will be 1,000 times greater in magnitude!"
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Iraq: Following the 2020 US air strike in Baghdad, Iraq’s parliament called on US troops to leave the country. Trump threatened Iraq with "sanctions like they've never seen before”. However, during a meeting with President Kadhimi, Trump said, “We're going to be leaving, and hopefully we're going to be leaving a country that can defend itself."
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Israel: In January this year, the US President said that he will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people adding, “I strongly support their safety and security and their right to live within their historical homeland. It's time for peace!"
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Turkey: Donald Trump's relationship with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has had a lot of ups and downs over the past four years. Despite that while speaking to reporters in February this year, Trump said, “Yes, I agree, he's a tough guy. But we have a very good relationship. I seem to do better with tough people."
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Syria: At the end of 2018, Trump made the surprise announcement that US troops would be leaving Syria, saying they had achieved his objective of defeating the so-called Islamic State group (IS). In a tweet he said, “If anybody but Donald Trump did what I did in Syria... they would be a national hero."
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Saudi Arabia: When Saudi Arabia's leaders launched a purge of allegedly corrupt officials last November, Trump tweeted, "I have great confidence in King Salman and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, they know exactly what they are doing... Some of those they are harshly treating have been "milking" their country for years!"
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Afghanistan: During a press conference at White House on February 29, 2020, US President Donald Trump said, “We've had tremendous success in Afghanistan… but it's time, after all these years, to go and to bring our people back home.”
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Russia: During his time as president of the United States, Donald Trump has tweeted more about Russia than any other country & has also spoken of his desire to improve relations with Moscow. On May 4, 2019 he tweeted, “Tremendous potential for a goodgreat relationship with Russia, despite what you read and see in the Fake News Media."
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Ukraine: In May 2019, Democrats accused Donald Trump of trying to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into investigating unsubstantiated corruption allegations against Joe Biden. On his party Zelensky said, "It was just a call". In response, Trump had tweeted, "This should immediately end the talk of impeachment."
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United Kingdom: Trump had a slightly bumpy relationship with Theresa May & always felt that Boris Johnson was the right man for PM for Britain. On December 13, 2019, the US president tweeted, “Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his great WIN! Britain and the United States will now be free to strike a massive new Trade Deal after BREXIT."
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France: On July 13, 2017, Donald Trump called the friendship between the two nations as ‘unbreakable’. More recently, following the terror attacks in France, Trump stated, “America stands with our oldest Ally in this fight.”
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Germany: While talking to reporters alongside the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel at the White House on April 27, 2018, Trump said, “We have a really great relationship and we actually have had a great relationship right from the beginning, but some people didn't understand that. But we understand it and that's what's important."
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Japan: In August 2020, Donald Trump praised former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was leaving office soon. He said, “Shinzo will soon be recognized as the greatest Prime Minister in the history of Japan, whose relationship with the USA is the best it has ever been. Special man!"
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North Korea: President Trump made history in June 2018 when he became the first sitting US president to meet with a North Korean leader. On August 2, 2019, Trump praised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for his great and beautiful vision for his country adding, “Only the United States, with me as President, can make that vision come true."
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Vietnam: In February 2019, Trump visited Hanoi to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which ended with US refusing to the latter's demands for sanctions relief. Post this, Trump tweeted, "THANK YOU to our generous hosts in Hanoi this week: President Trong, Prime Minister Phuc, and the wonderful people of Vietnam!"
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Mexico: In January 2017, Donald Trump signed an executive order that officially announced his intention to build the wall. On August 27, 2017, the US president tweeted, “With Mexico being one of the highest crime Nations in the world, we must have THE WALL. Mexico will pay for it through reimbursementother."
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