Since 2020, the face of the world has changed. Invasion of Ukraine by Russia, conflict in the Middle East after the attack carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023, increasingly tense relations with China… Joe Biden's mandate was marked by international crises. How does her vice-president and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris position herself on these subjects in the race for the White House? And his predecessor, Republican Donald Trump?
On the war in Ukraine
The position of the two candidates for the White House differs on the aid to be provided to Ukraine, mired in conflict for almost three years. Kamala Harris displays a “unwavering support for the Ukrainian people”as she told Volodymyr Zelensky on September 26 during his visit to Washington. It's hard for her to do otherwise. Since the start of the conflict in February 2022, she has participated in the decisions taken by Joe Biden, at the head of a coalition of countries supporting Ukraine.
A change of heart on this level on his part would be surprising. As soon as she was inaugurated in Chicago on August 22 during the Democratic Convention, she recalled that she “would not make friends with dictators”directly targeting his rival Donald Trump whose links with Vladimir Putin have raised questions for a long time.
If Kamala Harris is elected president of the United States, she should continue to supply weapons to Ukraine. Since the start of the conflict, the United States has been the main financial supporter of kyiv with 75 billion euros already paid and 23 to come, according to the latest figures from the German Kiel Institute.
Amounts strongly criticized by Donald Trump for two years. The Republican candidate believes that “this war should never have happened” and assures that he can put an end to it “in 24 hours thanks to a very precise plan”, without ever revealing its contours.
His running mate JD Vance mentioned, in the podcast Shawn Ryan Show on September 12, the establishment of a “demilitarized zone” on Ukrainian territory, along the front line. The integration of Ukraine into NATO would also be one of the adjustment variables of this plan: the country of Volodymyr Zelensky should put an end to this option. On this last point, Kamala Harris did not really comment: “These are questions we will address if and when we get to that point,” she said in an interview with CBS Monday October 7. She also ruled out any meeting with Vladimir Putin without a representative of Ukraine to discuss the future of the country.
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On the war in the Middle East
As for Ukraine, the Democratic candidate remains in line with Joe Biden on the conflict in the Middle East. She claims to support Israel on its right to defend itself while ensuring that it has the means to do so. In other words, continue American aid to the Jewish state.
She says to herself all the same “gravely concerned by the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the deaths of too many innocent civilians” and ensures that it continues to put pressure on Israel for a ceasefire. If her position remains very close to that of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris demonstrates more nuance on the issue.
Kamala Harris is also in favor of a two-state solution when Donald Trump doubts that such a solution is possible. He assures that “the attack of October 7” led by Hamas against Israel, “would never have happened” if he had been president. During his mandate, between 2016 and 2020, Donald Trump showed his attachment to the Jewish state by moving the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Since October 7, 2023, he has supported Israel's action in Gaza despite recent disagreements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. If elected, Donald Trump promises that “we will have peace in the world again, that’s guaranteed,” but does not specify how it intends to achieve this objective.
The two candidates agree on one point: Iran. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump display a hard line towards the sworn enemy of the United States. The Democratic candidate described “measure of justice” on September 27, the day Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah close to Iran, was killed in an Israeli strike.
Recently, Donald Trump has shown himself to be even more radical than the Democratic camp, after the attack carried out by the mullahs' regime on Israel on 1is october. He says he is in favor of an Israeli response to Iranian nuclear facilities, where Joe Biden calls for them to be spared.
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On the rivalry with China
Both candidates establish China as the main strategic adversary of the United States. Kamala Harris advocates a stabilization of relations between Washington and Beijing if she is elected, in line with current policy, while ensuring that she “will ensure that America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century.”
She also promises to protect the country against “unfair business practices” of China, without specifying how, and maintain taxes on products imported from China. This measure, introduced by Donald Trump during his mandate, was extended under Joe Biden. This is not forgotten by the Republican candidate who promises to strengthen these customs duties even further.
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On the question of Taiwan, Donald Trump did not speak out in the event of an invasion of China where Kamala Harris affirmed that she would support the self-defense of the island, without specifying whether she would provide military support.
For several months, the question of banning TikTok in the United States for security reasons has crystallized tensions with China. Kamala Harris defends the law signed by Joe Biden forcing the Chinese owner to sell the application, otherwise it will be banned in the United States. Donald Trump opposed this text.
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On NATO
The two candidates for the White House are polar opposites on the issue of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Vice President Kamala Harris had “rejoiced” to welcome Sweden and Finland into NATO, on the social network
During her inauguration, she assured that she would remain “stands alongside our NATO allies” but it remains unclear on Ukraine's accession.
The Republican candidate suggested leaving NATO when he was in the White House. This option still remains plausible for Donald Trump in the event of re-election, even if he has not confirmed that he would go that far. If he does not leave the Alliance, he could also seek to weaken it and has already threatened states that do not contribute enough financially to NATO not to support them in the event of an attack.
