Trump vows to stop wars, including, if ever, in Philippines

MILWAUKEE — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump promised Thursday to bring an end to raging international crises and restore American prestige on the world stage, saying he could “stop wars with a telephone call,” including if any breaks out in the Philippines.

The former president sought to paint a dire picture of the world under his successor Joe Biden, telling the Republican National Convention that the planet is “teetering on the edge of World War III.”

“We will restore peace, stability and harmony all throughout the world,” Trump said, without giving any detail on how he might do that.

“Under our leadership the United States will be respected again. No nation will question our power, no enemy will doubt our might, our borders will be totally secure,” Trump said.

He placed the blame for conflicts around the world squarely on Biden – even those with roots stretching back far before the Democrat took office.

“There is an international crisis the likes of which the world has seldom been part of... war is now raging in Europe, in the Middle East, a growing specter of conflict hangs over Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines and all of Asia,” he said.

He vowed to change all that if he is elected to a second term in the White House.

“I will end every single international crisis that the current administration has created, including the horrible war with Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said. But “to achieve this future, we must first rescue our nation from failed and even incompetent leadership.”

He also said he wanted Americans held abroad to be released – or else.

“The entire world, I tell you this: we want our hostages back and they better be back before I assume office or you will be paying a very big price,” said Trump – again failing to give any specifics.

He pledged to build a version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system for the United States, ignoring the fact that the system is designed for short-range threats and would be ill-suited to defending against intercontinental missiles that are the main danger to the country.

And he suggested that Kim Jong Un – the reclusive North Korean dictator whom he met in person during his presidency, and whose country possesses a nuclear arsenal – longed to see him back in the White House.

“I get along with him, he’d like to see me back too. I think he misses me, if you want to know,” Trump said.

Duterte backs Trump

Former president Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his support for Trump’s presidential bid. 

In a statement before the weekend, Duterte congratulated the former US president on his nomination as the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential elections. 

The former president, in past interviews, has also urged Filipinos living in the US to vote for Trump. 

The two men shared a strong bond when they were both president, with Trump inviting his counterpart for a visit to the US and Duterte singing for Trump in Manila. 

“I can still recall the warm and cordial ties we shared during my presidency when we managed complex challenges and worked together in strengthening the deep and comprehensive ties between the Philippines and the United States, and in securing the stability of the Asia-Pacific region,” Duterte said. 

“As he enters this momentous phase in his political life with the hope of steering the United States and the American people anew in this challenging time, I wish him nothing but strength, wisdom and the best of health,” he added. — Diana Lhyd Suelto