Ambassador Monica Crowley mentioned on Wednesday that President Donald Trump stands out among world leaders for his ability to anticipate geopolitical shifts way ahead of time. She highlighted Trump’s stance on China while reflecting on President Richard Nixon’s foreign policy at a Breitbart News event focused on American greatness.
“Both Nixon and Trump were fundamentally America First presidents. Nixon embodied that spirit even before it was coined. They advocated fiercely for American workers and the nation as a whole,” Crowley explained.
Crowley, who had the chance to work with Nixon in his later years, noted that their similarities made them prime targets for criticism from the deep state, largely because they prioritized peace and put America first.
She elaborated on Nixon’s initiative to establish ties with China during the Cold War, explaining that in response to tensions from the Vietnam War, Nixon recognized China as a strategic ally against the Soviet Union.
“Nixon assessed the global situation and realized he couldn’t confront the Soviet Union head-on. So, he strategically opened up to China, using that relationship to counterbalance the Soviet threat, which proved effective,” Crowley stated.
Crowley believed Nixon had a remarkable ability to foresee global events, a trait she sees reflected in Trump’s diplomatic style.
“Nixon was indeed a visionary; he could envision what the world might look like decades ahead and formulate American policy accordingly as president. I’d place Trump in that same category,” she remarked.
She pointed out that Nixon’s engagement with China was meant to counteract Soviet influence but acknowledged that China has since significantly increased its power through trade and economic relationships with Western nations.
“In the years following Nixon’s presidency, China took advantage of its booming population and economic opportunities to advance rapidly, utilizing trade to strengthen its position,” Crowley explained.
Crowley also reminisced about a trip to China in 1993 with Nixon, her last visit, recalling that at that time, Beijing was still largely agrarian in character.
“The streets were filled with bicycles and, surprisingly, donkeys and carts too. It was quite crowded,” she described, sharing her perception of Beijing’s traffic during that trip.
In contrast, she compared this experience to her visit in 2019 while working on the Phase 1 trade deal during Trump’s presidency. “In just one generation, China transformed into a nuclear and industrial superpower,” Crowley noted.
She offered advice for anyone considering a trip, saying, “Every American who can should visit China—seeing it firsthand is crucial to understanding the challenges we’re facing.” Reading about it or watching it on television just doesn’t capture the reality.
Crowley emphasized that Trump is aware of the significant threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party while still striving to maintain diplomatic channels with President Xi Jinping.
“President Trump fully recognizes this challenge. He knows that the Chinese Communist Party presents a real threat to the United States,” she affirmed. “His outreach to Xi and acknowledgment of Xi’s respect is accurate, but he also understands the broader implications of this threat—politically, economically, and in trade.”
“Trump’s main focus is on elevating the U.S. across all global power metrics. He aims to maintain America’s status as the leading superpower, ensuring China doesn’t surpass this,” she added.
Crowley concluded that if Nixon were still around, he would likely back Trump’s current policy toward China.
“Nixon grasped the dynamics of the global stage and set things in motion,” she concluded. “He would have wholeheartedly supported Trump’s initiatives. If Nixon had been in charge during the ’80s or ’90s, he would have adapted U.S. policy to prevent the exploitation of American industries and workers that we’ve seen.”
