Pardee Experts Analyze Potential Foreign Policy Under Trump Administration

Amb. Garcevic (L) and Amb. Storella (R)

Professors Vesko Garčević and Mark Storella joined Simmons University’s Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis at Emmanuel College on December 11 to analyze potential foreign policy directions in a second Trump presidency. The panel, moderated by Ambassador Garčević, explored competing foreign policy visions and likely priorities in a potential Trump administration.

Garčević outlined three competing foreign policy factions within Trump’s circle: “primacists” who advocate increased military spending and support for Ukraine while preparing for potential Chinese conflict; “restrainers” seeking reduced U.S. military commitments; and “prioritizers” focusing American resources on competition with China.

Ambassador Storella suggested that Trump’s personnel choices and management approach indicate a foreign policy heavily influenced by domestic priorities, including southern border issues and military policy reforms. He predicted a possible withdrawal from international organizations and agreements addressing climate change, global health, human rights, and artificial intelligence, including the Paris Accords and World Health Organization.

Analyzing hemispheric relations, Ambassador DeLaurentis discussed potential Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s strong connections with conservative Latin American leaders, while noting uncertainty about broader regional engagement. He warned that Trump’s proposed tariffs and emphasis on migration control and deportation could strain relationships with key partners, particularly Mexico.

The panelists agreed that while insights can be drawn from Trump’s first term and recent statements, his emphasis on personal loyalty as a primary qualification for staff suggests most key decisions would be centralized in the Oval Office.

The event, hosted by the Institute of Eastern Mediterranean Studies, drew attendance from students, faculty, and Emmanuel College President Beth Ross.

Ambassador Vesko Garčević dealt with issues pertinent to European security and NATO for almost 14 years during his diplomatic career. In 2004, he was posted in Vienna to serve as Ambassador to Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He was Montenegro’s Ambassador to NATO from 2010 until 2014 and served as Montenegro’s National Coordinator for NATO from 2015 until he joined the faculty at the Pardee School. Learn more about Ambassador Garčević on his faculty profile.

Ambassador Mark C. Storella was a United States Foreign Service Officer for over three decades serving as Ambassador to Zambia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Dean of the Leadership and Management School of the Foreign Service Institute. Storella is a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Excellence in Service Award, the Thomas Jefferson Award presented by American Citizens Abroad, and several Department of State superior and meritorious honor awards. Learn more about Ambassador Storella on his faculty profile.