Presidential candidate Nikki Haley shared her experiences at the United Nations during a town hall event in South Carolina, shedding light on the hostility displayed by certain countries towards the United States. Of particular concern to her was the fact that many of these nations were recipients of substantial foreign aid from the U.S.
In an assertive statement to the attendees, Haley declared, “When I assume the presidency, we will cease providing financial assistance to countries that harbor animosity towards America.” Reflecting on her time at the U.N., she identified two aspects that were strongly opposed by countries such as Russia, China, and Iran: a robust military and energy independence.
Haley emphasized the importance of both elements, arguing that a strong military acts as a deterrent and prevents conflicts. She also advocated for achieving energy independence, expressing her disapproval of relying on countries like Saudi Arabia for oil or purchasing what she deemed as “polluted oil” from Venezuela or Iran.
Recalling her thorough research on U.N. member countries and their voting patterns against the U.S., Haley shared her compilation of findings with President Trump, who reacted strongly to the revelations.
She criticized the practice of attempting to buy allies and appease adversaries through foreign aid, highlighting that the U.S. provided $50 billion in foreign assistance the previous year. She questioned the allocation of aid to countries such as Pakistan, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Belarus, communist Cuba, and even China, which she considered highly embarrassing.
Furthermore, Haley’s campaign announced her upcoming delivery of a significant foreign policy speech focused on China at the American Enterprise Institute, where she intends to delve into the subject extensively.