Trump Campaign Speech (Excerpt): Promoting Democracy for Twenty Years—What Have We Americans Gained?

This article excerpts a campaign speech by 2016 U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump. The speech criticizes America's role as international police for twenty years, vigorously promoting democracy (citing Iraq, Libya, Syria, Ukraine, etc.), questioning whether America gained anything worth the massive costs while offending Russia, the EU, and China. Trump attributes American decline to China's success in trade and controlling global resources, and opposes the Obama administration's TPP policy. The speech concludes by listing China's achievements in infrastructure, economic development, and social improvement—contrasting them with America's situation—calling for America to pursue glorious independence, doing business with whoever has money.