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Seth Moulton on Foreign Policy

Democratic Presidential Challenger (withdrawn); MA Rep.

 


Condemn China's human rights abuses

Human rights must be a key focus of our foreign policy, both with China and around the world. The United States should publicly condemn China's human rights abuses and continually raise them at the highest levels in diplomatic dialogue. We should also pursue targeted sanctions on entities and individuals who are involved in repression and make clear that we support Hong Kong's autonomy.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary , Jul 30, 2019

Need to push Saudis on human rights, not arm Yemen war

Saudi leadership is playing a double game of implementing some limited societal and economic reforms while, at the same time, cracking down on dissidents--including Jamaal Khashoggi, the journalist living in the United States who the Saudis brutally murdered. In 2020 and beyond, we need to push the Saudis on human rights, stop giving them weapons to kill civilians in Yemen, and make the terms of our alliance conditional on their compliance.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary , Jul 30, 2019

Support two-state solution, not current Israeli government

I unequivocally support a two-state solution. Israelis deserve to live in peace and security, and the Palestinian people deserve a state of their own. Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East and will continue to be. But we cannot continue to support their current right-wing government's policies that have made a two-state solution virtually impossible. There's blame to go around, but the Israelis have failed to live up to the standards we demand from our allies, and that needs to change.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary , Jul 30, 2019

Venezuela: US should not try to be world's policeman

The Trump administration's approach to Venezuela is a throwback to the Cold War: intervene in support of a coup, blame Cuba for everything, and in the process, make America a foil for Maduro to use with his people as the reason his economy is faltering. We should continue to sanction Venezuelan leaders and encourage the opposition. But if my time in the Marines taught me anything, it's that the United States is not the world's policeman. Nor should we try to be.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary , Jul 30, 2019

Africa: help next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs

The United States should work to help build the next generation of leaders in Africa by partnering with governments, civil society organizations, and others throughout the continent. The U.S government should also work directly with entrepreneurs, especially in Africa's developing countries. Lastly, while extreme poverty has fallen worldwide, too many Africans still struggle on less than $2 a day. We must help these countries grow their middle classes.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary , Jul 30, 2019

Visit our allies, whom President Trump has abandoned

Moulton said it was time to "abandon nation building in Afghanistan" and criticized President Trump for spurning "our friends and allies across the globe."

Q: Where would you go on your first international trip as president?

A: "I would go to some of our allies that President Trump has abandoned."

Source: 2019 "Meet the Candidates" (NY Times.com) , Jun 18, 2019

America leads the world when it is strong

There are a lot of dangers we face around the globe because we have a weak commander-in-chief in Donald Trump. And that's why in this race I'm taking him on, not just as president, but as commander-in-chief. We've got to start talking about how we can make America safe and strong, from our communities to our borders to across the globe, to restoring American leadership. And you do that through strength, you do that by showing how America will make the world stronger and safer together.
Source: ABC This Week 2019 interview of presidential hopefuls , May 19, 2019

Build a Pacific NATO & rebuild existing alliances

Over the last couple years, this administration has turned its back on our friends and cozied up to our adversaries. Donald Trump's erratic foreign policy has weakened the country, left our allies in the lurch, and emboldened our adversaries across the globe. That needs to change in 2020.

But to restore strong American leadership, we need to use all the tools at our disposal--from foreign aid to new alliances to diplomacy--not just the military. We should build new alliances, like a Pacific NATO, to counter the growing threats of Russia and China abroad. And we need to take care of those who take care of us, whether it's an ally in the Paris Climate Accord or the veterans who fight our wars.

Our troops deserve it and our national security demands it.

Source: 2020 Presidential Campaign website SethMoulton.com , May 2, 2019

Maintain World Bank funding as part of multilateralism.

Moulton voted NAY The World Bank Accountability Act

Congressional Summary: HR 3326: World Bank Accountability Act: Requires withholding 15% of appropriation if countries borrowing from the World Bank`s International Development Association are not implementing the UN Security Council resolution to impose sanctions on North Korea. Withholds an additional 15% if the World Bank approved a loan to a country designated by the US as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Statement in support by Rep. French Hill (R-AR-2): The World Bank`s extravagant and unaccountable spending practices have been in conflict with the values of Americans for far too long. This bill helps put an end to sending hard-earned American dollars to despots and corrupt regimes. [We should instead] see these funds used how they were truly intended, which is to help lift individuals out of poverty and put them on the pathway to success.

Statement in opposition by IssueVoter.org: Opponents say that withholding funds may undercut the credibility and leverage the World Bank has to get reforms enacted and implemented. `America`s leadership at the World Bank is `one of the major tools in our soft power arsenal``. If the U.S. cuts obligations too much, it will cede that power.

Statement in opposition by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA-6) on Medium.comJan 22, 2018: H.R. 3326 is taking a hammer approach to a multilateral organization that provides support for millions of people in the world`s most impoverished countries. It is also concerning that this legislation is being considered at a time when the Trump Administration is actively seeking to back away from any and all international organizations. Additionally, the World Bank is already implementing a series of reforms.

Legislative outcome: Jan. 17, 2018 House Bill Passed 237-184 (Roll no. 24); bill died in Senate committee.

Source: Congressional vote 17-HR3326 on Jul 20, 2017

Sponsored bill to monitor forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang.

Moulton co-sponsored Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

Legislative summary: The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act: