Two Potential 2028 Presidential Contenders Struggle to Articulate Foreign Policy at Munich Summit

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated in an interview that tough questions about world affairs left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer struggling to provide clear answers during a recent session at the Munich Security Conference.

According to Whitaker, the moment came several questions into the discussion when the topic turned to China and Taiwan.

“They turned to me once or twice, wanting me to answer first so that I guess [I] could help them with their homework,” he said.

Whitaker said he declined to answer first and that the Democrats’ responses brought what he described as confusion to the issues being discussed.

“Ultimately, when I wasn’t willing to do that, they gave some sort of interesting, to say the least, non-answers,” he said, arguing both women struggled to clearly articulate a path forward.

At a forum like Munich, Whitaker said, such hesitation is glaring.

“The Munich Security Conference is the Super Bowl of foreign policy when it comes to these issues,” he said, noting that challenges such as an “ascendant China,” the war in Ukraine, and unrest in the Middle East are always front and center.

He stated the Taiwan question posed to Ocasio-Cortez is fundamental for anyone seeking the Oval Office.

“If you’re expecting to run for president, you should have a pretty good answer on that,” Whitaker said.

When asked what the correct answer would have been, Whitaker laid out what he described as a straightforward doctrine of deterrence and strength.

“First of all, you need a strong Taiwan, one that can defend itself,” he said.

Beyond that, he said the United States should “lean into our alliances … whether that’s with Japan or the Philippines or South Korea,” ensuring partners are “equally strong” in countering Beijing’s ambitions.

Whitaker also explained why he refused to provide political cover for his fellow panelists.

“I was trying to be a gentleman,” he said, adding that he would not tell Whitmer “the position of the Trump administration” only to have it go unchallenged or be used as a political foil.

What struck him most, he added, was that “these two folks … weren’t able to articulate, really, a vision for foreign policy,” despite speculation about their national ambitions.

Whitaker also addressed the United States’ position on European NATO nations shouldering more of the responsibility for their own defense.

“What I’m telling them is there’s no exoneration,” he said. “Ultimately, we need you to be stronger. We need your economies to work.”