Nikki Haley hopes foreign policy stances boost her 2024 chances

2023-09-08 19:00:29, Kosova & Bota CNA

Nikki Haley differs from most of the Republican candidates for president in terms of foreign policy, especially with the stronger approach regarding Ukraine. While her rivals are embracing isolationist positions that they think match the leanings of most Republican voters, the former US ambassador to the UN hopes that the contrast in this regard, especially with the leading candidate, former President Donald Trump, will be an advantage for her. .

Ms Haley is stressing the differences between herself and former President Trump, mainly on foreign policy issues and the stance on Ukraine, saying it is her job to express her convictions.

" I have always spoken my truth even when it is difficult. And I think people have respected that. Many people have come after the debate and told me that they agree with me and understand me, because I am the wife of a soldier and the last thing I would want is for him to go to war. They understand that if Russia takes Ukraine, then it's Poland's turn and the Baltics, which would mean we're at war, because they're part of NATO, so they understand that this is about preventing war. " , she said in an interview for the Reuters agency.

She said she is in favor of doubling the delivery of arms to Ukraine. The position of the former US ambassador to the UN towards Ukraine contradicts most of the supporters of the Republican Party. About 52% of Republicans said in a Reuters/Ipsos poll in July that they were less likely to support a candidate who favors increased military aid to Ukraine. The position also contrasts with those of former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former investor Vivek Ramaswamy, all Republican candidates for the 2024 election.

Ms. Haley says one of the reasons why the victory in Ukraine is important is that China is watching closely.

" If Ukraine wins, it would send the strongest message to China not to enter Taiwan. The only thing Russia and China feared when I was at the United Nations was a strong military. We must have our army so strong that they will never think of touching it. We must let China know that it would face severe consequences if it touches Taiwan ," she said.

Ms. Haley is in favor of sending special forces to Mexico to eradicate drug cartels.

" It's the same as we did with ISIS, as we do with terrorists. That we focus on specific units, in this case, where the cartel manufactures fentanyl, we go there and destroy them. This means that we would do special operations and not engage a standing military force ."

Republican voters' attention to Ms. Haley's candidacy has increased since the first Republican debate in August, where she spoke forcefully about the importance of confronting Russia and China. Her support has doubled since then, according to polling averages, but still remains at around 7%.

Asked whether she would vote for Mr Trump if he became the Republican presidential nominee, Ms Haley said she believed the American people would vote for the right person.

" I think it will be me. I don't think they will vote for someone who has been convicted of a serious crime. So let's wait and see what happens ."

Her strong foreign policy stances are a strategic bet of her campaign, aimed at bucking the general trend that foreign policy does not sway American voters. Ms. Haley's advisers argue that those Republicans who are less in favor of military aid to Ukraine are more likely to be supporters of Mr. Trump, so trying to win them over is not a sound tactic. It remains to be seen if this strategy to attract those Republicans who think differently will positively affect her chances./ VOA