The Economy Is Trump's Foreign Policy, Says Top Advisor
Donald Trump's foreign policy approach is all about the economy, according to one of his top advisers.
Joseph Schmitz, who was named a foreign policy and national security adviser to the Trump campaign in March, discussed his take on how the Republican presidential nominee would deal with the rest of the world at a gathering for Trump staff and supporters at the Westin Hotel in Cleveland for the Republican National Convention.
"Donald Trump's vision for foreign policy success and national security success is, first of all, restoring the health of the American economy," he said. "There is a term called 'provocative weakness.' If the United States itself is weak economically, it promotes dangerous situations and conflicts. By restoring the health of the American economy, jobs and fiscal responsibility, we will be a better foreign policy partner with our allies and a more formidable adversary for our enemies."
Trump has pledged to "make America great again" by bringing back manufacturing jobs, renegotiating trade deals and taking a more hostile approach to immigration -- measures that could have major implications for the U.S. economy. He has especially hit Mexico and China hard on trade, promising tariffs, currency manipulation declarations and other measures.
Trump has shrugged off concerns his approach might have adverse effects. "Who the hell cares if there's a trade war?" he asked at a New Jersey fundraiser in May. Schmitz's attitude is similarly relaxed.
"Whether it's a trade pact or a defense pact, it's supposed to be a win-win proposition. Over time, sometimes those trade pacts or defense pacts need to be reevaluated. It's common sense. Anybody who's been in business knows that situations change," he said.
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Schmitz declined to discuss Trump's recent comments in an interview with The New York Times this week suggesting he might not defend allies like the Baltic states against Russian aggression. He did say that, contrary to popular belief, Trump does consult him and other advisers regularly. (Trump has said that he primarily consults himself on foreign policy matters and has "a very good brain.")
"I have spoken to him, and he listens very, very well," Schmitz said.
Schmitz served as inspector general of the Defense Department under the George W. Bush administration from 2002 to 2005, resigning under allegations he protected top officials suspected of wrongdoing. He compared Trump to his former boss at the Pentagon, Donald Rumsfeld.
"Donald Trump and Donald Rumsfeld are both successful businessmen, and they don't suffer fools. They will get the mission done," he said.
He also lamented the absence of the Bush family from the RNC here in Cleveland. "I worked for a Bush, I have the highest respect for the Bushes. I'm sorry they're not here," he said.
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