While the UK expressed mild annoyance at JD Vance’s remarks about Britain being an Islamist country, Donald
Trump
’s choice of
JD Vance
as his vice-presidential pick has reignited fears in Europe that he would pursue a transactional “America first” foreign policy, which could culminate in the US pushing for
Ukraine
to acquiesce to
Vladimir Putin
and sue for peace with
Russia
. A senior European diplomat was quoted saying by The Guardian: “It’s bad for us but it’s terrible news for Ukraine.
He is not our ally.” On the other hand, the denizens of
Silicon Valley
won’t be too upset about Trump’s choice.
JD Vance's political journey has been both surprising and noteworthy. His nomination as Donald Trump's vice-presidential pick has generated a mix of excitement, skepticism, and fear, especially among stakeholders in Europe and Ukraine. To grasp why Vance is such a polarizing figure, it's crucial to examine his background, connections, and political positions.
Foreign diplomats and observers have frequently described Trump’s policies as a black box, highlighting the difficulty in predicting his actions. Vance makes that black box a little clearer. Vance is on record, opposing more assistance to Ukraine and has expressed indifference in the war. By choosing him, Trump has, experts say, clarified a choice for American voters. The received wisdom is that while Trump will take a more ambigious take on the Russia war, Vance will be more vocal for his MAGA base on not getting involved.
Vance has publicly criticized US aid packages to Ukraine and advocated for negotiations with Russia, despite Ukraine’s refusal to hold talks. He has accused the Biden administration of “micromanaging” Israel’s war in Gaza, insisting that America should allow Israel to “finish the job.” Vance also champions the containment of China, arguing that America is “spread too thin” in Europe and pushing for aggressive trade restrictions and intellectual property protections against China.
Additionally, he demands that European countries contribute a larger share of their GDP to NATO, stating, “The United States has provided a blanket of security to Europe for far too long.”
Backed by Big Tech
The push to secure Vance's nomination saw significant support from top donors in Silicon Valley. According to Axios, Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, and David Sacks were instrumental in lobbying for Vance. These tech billionaires have been skeptical of Joe Biden’s support for Ukraine and have shown a strong hawkish stance on China. This support from influential tech figures underscores Vance's deep connections within Silicon Valley, despite his relatively short stint in the industry.
A Wake-Up Call to Europe
At the Munich Security Conference in February, Vance delivered a “wake-up call” to Europe, playing down the threat posed by Russia and suggesting that the US could not manufacture the weapons needed to supply Ukraine to continue the war. He stated, “I do not think that Vladimir Putin is an existential threat to Europe, and to the extent that he is, again that suggests that Europe has to take a more aggressive role in its own security.”
Vance also expressed his belief that the Ukraine war “will end in a negotiated peace,” a view echoed by Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, who has been traveling on a rogue “peace mission” to Moscow and Mar-a-Lago.
Connections and Influence
Vance’s journey into politics was significantly influenced by his connections within the tech industry. He began forging these connections while a student at Yale Law School, where he met Peter Thiel. Thiel’s influence was pivotal in Vance’s career, providing not only financial backing but also strategic introductions to influential figures, including Donald Trump.
During his time in Silicon Valley, Vance worked as a junior venture capitalist and a biotech executive. His connections with billionaire executives like Thiel, Sacks, and Musk have continued to support his political ambitions, raising his profile and funding his campaigns.
Before the 2022 midterm elections, Thiel gave $15 million to support Vance’s Senate campaign. Sacks donated $1 million to a political action committee backing Vance’s run. This financial support underscores the powerful network Vance has built within the tech industry, which has been crucial in his political ascent.
Divergence from Silicon Valley’s Interests
Despite his connections, it remains unclear if Vance will align with Silicon Valley's interests if elected. He has praised the Federal Trade Commission for its antitrust cases against tech giants and called for the breakup of Google, labeling it an “explicitly progressive technology company.” These stances could place him at odds with some of his Silicon Valley backers.
JD Vance’s rise from Silicon Valley to the political arena highlights the complex interplay between tech influence and political ambition. His policies and connections make him a formidable figure in contemporary American politics, one whose impact will be closely watched in the coming months.
English (US) ·