JD Foster: Trump Is No Isolationist

Among the many epithets thrown at Trump is that he is an “isolationist.” Nonsense.

True, Trump has little patience with useless, calcified international organizations like the UN. Yet Trump is quite content to throw America’s substantial weight around for cause.

But what, for Trump, is sufficient cause? One is a clear national security interest, which properly motivates Trump’s focus on Iran and China, both of which countries are functional enemies of the United States.

Another obvious cause involves trade. Even those discomforted by Trump’s tariffs acknowledge much of the world treats Americans poorly when it comes to trade. If he just erected trade barriers and left it at that, then the isolationist charge would stick. Instead, he’s busy negotiating trade deals to reduce trade barriers on both sides.

Perhaps the most surprising cause motivating Trump’s foreign policy is people. Trump abhors the loss of life in the various military conflicts. Everyone does, of course, but if as President of the United States Trump can step in and stop the killing, then he directs his team to go all out.

Consider, for example, Trump’s push for a durable ceasefire in Gaza. In reality, American national security interests here are minimal except for the general policy of supporting Israel.

The Biden Administration was mostly content to sit on the sidelines, but Trump actively pursues an end to the killing. Why? Because Trump finds the civilian deaths appalling.

An essential condition for Trump’s engagement is practicality. Trump engages where a solution is possible. Unfortunately, as he has learned, peace with Hamas is impossible as it would require either Israel committing a massive strategic blunder or the destruction of Hamas. Knowing this, Kudos to Trump for trying, but it is time to back away except to help find Palestinian new homes elsewhere in the Middle East.