Proposal for Party Platform Revision Released to Coincide with Party Congress Opening
The U.S. Democratic Party reaffirmed its alliance-focused stance through a newly released platform ahead of the November presidential election. It also indicated its intention to continue efforts to check China.
On the 19th (local time), the Democratic Party unveiled the platform amendment on the opening day of the convention held in Chicago, stating, "To commit to our values both at home and abroad, cooperation with our allies is necessary."
The amendment explained, "The United States is strongest when its partners are strong," adding, "This is why President Joe Biden led the coalition of countries sharing our values to unite during his first term." It criticized former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, saying, "Trump severely strained the relationship between the U.S. and its allies and emboldened authoritarian regimes, making America less safe."
The amendment emphasized, "We stood with our allies to support democracy and push back authoritarian rule," and stated, "The United States will continue to lead the world."
It also declared its intention to work with European and Indo-Pacific allies to block security cooperation among North Korea, Iran, and Russia. The amendment expressed a commitment to continue supporting Ukraine.
This alliance-focused stance of the Democratic Party is interpreted as an effort to clearly contrast with former President Trump, who pressured allies to increase defense cost-sharing under an America First policy.
The amendment also announced plans to continue strengthening measures to check China.
The amendment stated, "We recognize China as the United States' most significant strategic competitor," defining China as "the only actor possessing both the intent to fundamentally reshape the U.S.-led international order and the military, economic, diplomatic, and technological capabilities to execute it." It further explained, "President Biden has invested in domestic capabilities and alliances for a vigorous competition with China," adding that while it will pursue de-risking with China, it will not seek decoupling.
Additionally, the amendment confirmed the intention to maintain sufficient nuclear capabilities to protect the U.S. and its allies.
The platform amendment emphasized, "Nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," stating, "According to U.S. doctrine, American nuclear weapons are held to deter strategic attacks by those who threaten us and our allies and partners with nuclear weapons." It also declared that if the Democrats are re-elected, they will continue investing in deterrence capabilities such as the nuclear triad.
The Democratic Party's platform amendment will be finalized after a delegate vote at the convention later that night. It was drafted before President Biden announced his decision not to run for re-election on the 21st of last month, so Vice President Kamala Harris's policy plans are not included.
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