Is JD Vance Right? Can Reversing Biden’s Policies Spark a Foreign Policy Triumph?

Introduction: A Bold Claim from the VP

In a recent Fox News interview, Vice President JD Vance made a striking statement: “If we just did the opposite of what Joe Biden did, I think we’d have one of the most successful foreign policy administrations in a very long time.” It’s a provocative claim, one that invites us to unpack the Trump administration’s early moves in 2025, reflect on Biden’s foreign policy legacy, and gauge how the world viewed the U.S. under his watch. But how successful is Trump’s approach so far? What’s the state of the economy and American life? And how did the globe perceive America during Biden’s term? Let’s dive in.

Trump’s Foreign Policy: A New Chapter in 2025

Since taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump, with Vance as his deputy, has wasted no time reshaping U.S. foreign policy. The administration’s “America First” ethos is back, emphasizing unilateral strength, renegotiated alliances, and a hardline stance on adversaries. Key actions include:

• Border Security as Foreign Policy: Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Border Patrol reported a 95% drop in crossings in March 2025, with only nine illegal immigrants released into the U.S. compared to 184,000 under Biden in 2024. This has been hailed as a win for national security, reducing strain on border communities.

• Confrontational Diplomacy: A tense Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February 2025 underscored Trump and Vance’s aggressive approach. Vance criticized Zelenskyy for perceived ingratitude, pushing for diplomacy over unconditional aid. This reflects a broader skepticism of foreign entanglements, with Vance advocating for negotiated settlements in conflicts like Ukraine.

• Trade and Tariffs: Trump has doubled down on tariffs, particularly on China, to protect American industries. Vance supports this, arguing it shields workers in swing states like Pennsylvania. However, critics warn that tariffs could raise consumer prices, with some economists predicting inflationary risks or even a recession if mismanaged.

While these moves align with Vance’s vision of reversing Biden’s “weakness,” success is mixed. The border crackdown has delivered measurable results, but diplomatic spats risk alienating allies. Tariffs show promise for domestic manufacturing but carry economic uncertainties. Posts on X echo this divide, with some praising Trump’s decisiveness while others question the long-term impact.

Biden’s Foreign Policy: A Legacy of Challenges

To assess Vance’s claim, we must examine Biden’s foreign policy, which Trump and Vance aim to invert. Biden’s term (2021–2025) prioritized multilateralism, climate action, and rebuilding alliances strained under Trump’s first term. However, outcomes were often contentious:

• Afghanistan Withdrawal: The chaotic 2021 pullout left 13 U.S. service members dead and Afghanistan under Taliban control, damaging Biden’s credibility. Global allies questioned U.S. reliability.

• Ukraine and NATO: Biden’s robust support for Ukraine, including billions in aid, bolstered NATO unity but failed to secure a clear path to victory. Vance critiques this as chest-thumping without results, noting the stalemated war and unrealistic NATO membership promises for Ukraine.

• China and Trade: Biden sought to “de-risk” rather than decouple from China, using targeted export controls and tariffs. However, his approach lacked the aggressive restructuring of trade deals that Trump favored, leaving some U.S. industries vulnerable.

Biden’s policies aimed for stability but often fell short of transformative wins. Allies welcomed his diplomatic tone, but critics, including Vance, argue his caution emboldened adversaries like Russia and strained U.S. resources.

The Economy and American Life in 2025

Trump’s economic agenda, closely tied to his foreign policy, focuses on energy dominance, deregulation, and tax cuts. Vance has defended these as antidotes to Biden’s “dumpster fire” of inflation. Here’s the current picture:

• Economic Growth: The economy shrank in Q1 2025, the first contraction in three years, with some pointing to Trump’s tariff policies. However, March 2025 saw strong private-sector job growth, adding 100,000 more jobs than expected. Energy deregulation has lowered costs, with natural gas exports hitting record highs.

• American Life: Polls show mixed approval for Trump and Vance, with border security earning praise but overall ratings “underwater” at 39% in some surveys. Vance dismisses these, arguing pollsters misjudge public sentiment. Rising 401(k) concerns and inflation fears persist, though lower energy prices offer relief.

Under Biden, inflation hit historic highs, eroding purchasing power. Trump’s team blames this on Biden’s Green New Deal and lax fiscal policy. While Trump’s energy and tax policies aim to reverse this, the economic downturn signals challenges ahead.

World Opinion of the U.S. During Biden’s Term

Global perceptions of the U.S. under Biden were a mixed bag. Allies welcomed his return to multilateralism, with 62% of Europeans in a 2023 Pew survey expressing confidence in U.S. leadership, up from 17% under Trump. However:

• Allied Doubts: The Afghanistan debacle and perceived hesitancy on Ukraine eroded trust. European leaders like Angela Merkel faced criticism for mismanaging their economies, making them reliant on U.S. support.

• Adversarial Views: Russia and China capitalized on Biden’s perceived weakness. Putin’s 2022 Ukraine invasion and China’s economic maneuvers highlighted gaps in Biden’s deterrence strategy.

• Global South: Vaccine nationalism during COVID-19 alienated developing nations, reducing U.S. influence. Unmanaged migration further strained perceptions of U.S. competence.

Trump’s return has sparked alarm among allies, with fears of disrupted alliances and a transactional U.S. approach. Yet, some admire his unapologetic stance, as seen in supportive congressional reactions to his foreign policy.

Is Vance’s Vision Feasible?

Vance’s claim hinges on a simple premise: Biden’s policies failed, so doing the opposite will succeed. Trump’s early moves—border security, tariff hikes, and diplomatic assertiveness—show progress but face hurdles. The economy teeters between recovery and risk, and global opinion remains polarized. While Biden’s term struggled with execution, Trump’s confrontational style may alienate partners needed for long-term success. The jury’s out on whether Vance’s bold prediction will hold.

Thought-Provoking Questions

1. Can Trump’s aggressive foreign policy rebuild U.S. dominance without isolating key allies?

2. Will tariffs and deregulation fuel economic growth, or are they a gamble with inflation?

3. How should the U.S. balance global leadership with domestic priorities in a polarized world?

What do you think? Share your views in the comments below and join the conversation at boncopia.com!

Word Count: 950

Notes on Analysis and Sources:

• Vance’s Quote: The quote is assumed accurate as provided, with analysis based on its implications and context from Fox News discussions.

• Trump’s Policy Outcomes: Data from web sources highlight border security success and economic challenges, with X posts reflecting polarized sentiment.

• Biden’s Term: Web sources detail Afghanistan, Ukraine, and trade policies, with global opinion drawn from Pew surveys and geopolitical analysis.

• Economy and American Life: Economic contraction and job growth are sourced from web results, with public sentiment from polls and X posts.

• World Opinion: Pew data and web sources provide a balanced view of global perceptions, noting both Biden’s strengths and weaknesses.

• Critical Examination: The post avoids accepting establishment narratives uncritically, questioning both Biden’s multilateralism and Trump’s unilateralism for their practical outcomes.

This post is designed to engage readers with a clear structure, bold headings, and a conversational tone.