While the new Labour government finds its feet, the fight for the White House rages on the other side of the Atlantic. Although the American campaign trail lacks the theatricality of waterslides, it has no shortage of drama. One of the most significant and alarming developments is Donald Trump's selection of JD Vance as his vice-presidential nominee - a choice that signals a dark, inward turn for the US.

JD Vance - a 39-year-old Iraq War veteran, Yale-educated lawyer, and former venture capitalist rose to fame with his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which paints a bleak picture of white, working-class America. His campaign priorities include reducing spending, boosting domestic oil and gas production, ending abortion, protecting the southern border, and limiting immigration policy.

In essence, Vance represents a hardline, nationalist agenda that puts Trump’s rhetoric into practice.

Initially, Vance was a vocal critic of Trump. He once called Trump “America’s Hitler” and accused him of making people “afraid” with his anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim policies. However, in a stark display of political opportunism, Vance later expressed regret for these comments, securing Trump’s endorsement for his Senate run. This flip-flop highlights Vance’s willingness to abandon principles for political gain, a troubling trait for someone a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Vance’s selection has predictably outraged Democrats. His reaction to the failed assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, was to blame President Joe Biden. Vance tweeted that Biden's campaign premise, portraying Trump as an authoritarian fascist, led directly to the assassination attempt. This accusation typifies Vance’s style - divisive and devoid of accountability.

Worryingly, Vance's domestic policies are even more extreme than Trump's. He opposes abortion unequivocally, even in cases of rape or incest. He has likened abortion to slavery, suggesting it has a “morally distorting effect on the entire society.” Vance also opposes same-sex marriage and has made disparaging comments about divorce, advocating that people in violent marriages should stay together for the sake of their children.

These regressive views show that there is little common ground to be found between British values of openness and tolerance and a potential Trump-Vance administration.

On foreign policy, Vance is a staunch isolationist. He advocates for broad-based tariffs on foreign goods, particularly from China, and opposes US aid to Ukraine. In a podcast interview with Steve Bannon, Vance dismissed the importance of the Ukraine conflict, stating, “I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.” This callous indifference to international allies and democratic values underscores a potential Trump-Vance administration's inward focus and disregard for global stability.

Alarmingly, Vance has recently targeted the UK with inflammatory rhetoric, claiming that the UK is the first "Islamist" country to get nuclear weapons "since Labour took over." This absurd and baseless accusation is not just an insult to the UK but also a dangerous provocation. It further highlights Vance’s tendency to make reckless statements that could destabilise international relations.

The potential for a Trump-Vance administration to turn the US inward and dismantle international cooperation cannot be underestimated. The UK must bolster its alliances within Europe to navigate this volatile geopolitical landscape and safeguard its future. The UK cannot afford to be complacent. Strengthening EU relations is not just advisable - it is essential.

Elsie Gisslegård / Content Executive