The United States is at the center of attention today as the first debate between the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, and current president Donald Trump takes place. Both men have different visions of how the US should be involved in global affairs. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that American voters see Trump as the best option for managing the economy, but prefer Biden’s approach to protecting democracy.
The debate highlights the stark differences between these two men. During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, Trump advocated a “America First” approach with a combative and sometimes isolationist worldview. In contrast, Biden’s administration began in 2021 under the slogan “America is back,” which aimed to revive relationships with allies. However, both presidents agree on some key issues. Both withdrew American troops from Afghanistan after more than two decades of conflict, considering it not worth the cost it brought in blood and treasure.
Despite their agreement on some matters, each man criticized each other during implementation and had strong public disagreements about most issues. For example, Biden supported Ukraine after Russia invaded in February 2022 by providing $175 billion in aid including weapons and budget support. Trump expressed skepticism about this aid and believed that Russia would win. Meanwhile, he blocked Kiev’s latest military package for months with his supporters obstructing its passage through Congress.
Trump emphasized his ability to end wars quickly while his advisors suggested pushing for a ceasefire by threatening Ukraine with cutting off aid unless they made concessions on their borders – something rejected by Biden who said only Ukraine should decide its future. Trump admired Russian President Vladimir Putin and was impeached for delaying military aid to Ukraine while pressuring President Zelensky to open an investigation into Biden’s family business practices during his presidency.
During his time in office, Trump was highly supportive of Israel and moved the U
