Trump to Defend Foreign Policy Record in State of Union as Critics Question Priorities

President Trump will use Tuesday's State of the Union address to defend his international agenda amid growing public skepticism about his foreign policy approach. Recent polls show 61% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of international affairs, with critics questioning his 'America First' commitment.

WASHINGTON — Tuesday’s State of the Union speech will give President Donald Trump an opportunity to defend his international agenda before Americans who increasingly question his foreign policy direction, even as domestic concerns are expected to dominate the address.

Trump points to several major international achievements, including negotiating a tenuous Gaza ceasefire, the successful capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, and pushing NATO allies to boost their military spending commitments.

However, with polling data revealing growing public focus on economic concerns, the Republican president faces the challenge of addressing mounting doubts about whether he’s remained faithful to his “America First” campaign promise after spending considerable attention on international matters. This skepticism extends even to former close supporters.

Former Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who left Congress last month following a public break with Trump, criticized the president on social media as the White House prepared for the address: “If you had put America FIRST from the start, instead of your rich donor class and foreign policy, you wouldn’t have to strategize on how to gaslight Americans.”

Recent polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals significant public concern, with 61% of American adults expressing disapproval of Trump’s foreign policy management. Additionally, 56% believe Trump has overreached in deploying U.S. military forces for international interventions.

Several key international issues are likely to feature prominently in Trump’s remarks:

Trump faces mounting pressure regarding potential military action against Iran as diplomatic tensions escalate. Last week, he issued a stark warning to Iranian leadership, stating that “bad things will happen” soon without progress on nuclear negotiations.

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to resume discussions with Iranian representatives Thursday in Geneva, while American naval vessels and combat aircraft continue building up in Middle Eastern waters.

The Trump administration appears puzzled by Iran’s resistance to increasing diplomatic and military pressure.

“He’s curious as to why they haven’t — I don’t want to use the word capitulated — but why they haven’t capitulated,” Witkoff explained during a weekend Fox News interview when discussing Trump’s perspective.

The president may use this platform to justify potential military intervention to the American people, coming just eight months after claiming U.S. airstrikes had “obliterated” three key Iranian nuclear installations and forced “the bully of the Middle East” into peace negotiations.

Diplomatic progress remains uncertain as Iran’s religious leadership insists on limiting discussions solely to nuclear issues, while Washington and Jerusalem seek broader talks covering Tehran’s missile development and support for regional militant groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.

Tuesday’s address coincides with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s Ukrainian invasion.

During his campaign, Trump promised to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict within 24 hours, but that commitment has proven elusive.

While Russian and Ukrainian representatives continue U.S.-facilitated negotiations, major disagreements persist over Moscow’s territorial demands and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility, Europe’s largest power plant.

Russian forces have advanced approximately 30 miles into Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region over the past two years.

Despite limited territorial gains, Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains maximum demands, insisting Ukraine withdraw from four regions Moscow illegally claimed but never completely occupied.

Trump contends Russian victory over disputed Ukrainian territory is unavoidable and has urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate a settlement to prevent further casualties.

“Russia wants to make a deal, and Zelenskyy is going to have to get moving,” Trump stated last week.

The president appears determined to secure a peace agreement before midterm elections despite ongoing obstacles. Zelenskyy indicates the White House has established a June deadline for ending the conflict and will likely pressure both nations to comply.

Ukrainian, Russian, and European leaders will closely monitor Trump’s comments regarding war resolution.

Trump is expected to again highlight last month’s dramatic military operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture.

The Venezuelan leader and his spouse were transported to New York to face federal drug conspiracy charges.

Following the operation, Trump has encouraged American oil companies to return to Venezuela while the administration seeks $100 billion in infrastructure investments to restore the country’s petroleum production capabilities.

Trump’s Venezuelan intervention, combined with increased Western Hemisphere enforcement targeting drug trafficking and illegal immigration, has generated regional concern while earning support from some smaller nations.

The president has compared this approach to the Monroe Doctrine, emphasizing American dominance throughout what his administration calls “America’s backyard” while rejecting foreign interference.

Under Trump’s direction, U.S. forces have conducted numerous operations against suspected drug vessels in Caribbean waters, seized sanctioned oil tankers, and strengthened Cuba’s embargo as part of what the president terms the “Donroe Doctrine.”

Brian Fonseca, an Americas specialist at Florida International University, described Venezuela as ongoing work for Trump while noting it may represent one area where he can clearly connect foreign policy actions to American benefits.

“With Venezuela, he has the chance to say, ‘The U.S. military under my direction displaced a violent, narco-dictator that was repressing his own people and perpetuating the global drug trade,'” Fonseca explained. “‘And, by the way, there are now opportunities for America to make a lot of money in Venezuela.'”

Trump has criticized the six Supreme Court justices, including two he appointed during his first presidency, who struck down his use of 1977 legal provisions for implementing most tariff increases over the past year.

On Monday, Trump warned international partners to honor existing tariff agreements.

Any nation attempting to “play games” with the Supreme Court ruling, Trump posted on social media, will face “a much higher Tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to.”

Over the weekend, Trump announced plans to raise a new global tariff to 15% to replace many import taxes the Supreme Court declared illegal.

He has already authorized an executive order bypassing Congress to impose 10% worldwide import taxes beginning Tuesday. These tariffs remain active for 150 days unless Congress extends them.

Bharat Ramamurti, former deputy director of the Biden administration’s National Economic Council, predicted Trump’s strategy will cause businesses and investors to remain cautious because “they’re just not sure what the tariff outlook is going to be.”

“This decision and the follow-up to pursue other forms of tariffs under other legal authorities is only going to add to that confusion,” Ramamurti added.