(NewsNation) — Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president, has echoed former President Donald Trump’s America-first foreign policy agenda on the campaign trail.
Vance, a veteran of the Iraq war, has referenced his own background when defining a policy agenda that includes strong isolationist tendencies with a few exceptions.
He has railed against trade policies like NAFTA and against the Iraq war, including blaming President Joe Biden for voting in favor of them, despite both having broad Republican support at the time.
In his book, Hillbilly Elegy, Vance recalls the toll of foreign wars, noting that it was young men from communities like his that were disproportionately sent to fight and die overseas.
JD Vance on Ukraine
Vance has been a vocal opponent of continued U.S. aid to Ukraine, operating on a scarcity policy mindset that pits funding of foreign allies against funding for domestic concerns.
When it comes to bringing about an end to the conflict, Vance has suggested that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia as part of negotiations. The demand, which would give Russia territory it gained through the invasion, is similar to what Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded as a condition for ending the war.
Biden and other policymakers have suggested such a deal would amount to capitulation to Russia and embolden Putin to take further aggressive action.
Vance has also floated the idea of a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia, though he did not specify who would patrol such a zone.
JD Vance on Europe
Vance has also echoed Trump’s comments that European nations need to contribute more when it comes to collective security and NATO.
He has not gone as far as suggesting the U.S. pull out of the organization, something Trump has repeatedly endorsed.
In addition to spending more money on defense, Vance’s comments also suggest he would like to see European nations build up their military capabilities to be able to contribute more to defense.
Vance also garnered criticism in Europe after expressing support for some policies instituted by Hungarian leader Victor Orban including those meant to crack down on dissidents.
While Vance made it clear he doesn’t support all of the authoritarian leader’s policies, it’s an echo of Trump’s admiration for strong-man leaders, including Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro.
JD Vance on Israel
However, Vance has also taken a more hawkish approach when it comes to the Middle East. He’s advocated for the war in Gaza and the return of hostages but has suggested it should come about through supporting Israel’s efforts rather than negotiation.
Vance has expressed support for continuing to arm Israel with no restrictions until the country can finish the job, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to do even after the death of Oct. 7 architect and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
When it comes to Gaza, Vance also voted against U.S. aid for Palestinians and has supported the normalization of relations between Israel and surrounding Arab nations as the path toward peace. Many of those nations have said such normalization would be impossible without steps toward a Palestinian state.
JD Vance on China
Vance has also suggested the U.S. should shift its international focus from Europe to East Asia.
While Vance has spoken out about China, his focus has been on economic competition rather than military conflict. He’s backed Trump’s plan for stiff tariffs on Chinese imports and stressed the need for America to compete with China.
Vance has supported sending arms to Taiwan to defend against a possible Chinese invasion but has also advocated for more chip manufacturing in America to reduce dependence on Taiwan, something that could potentially change the policy calculus.
