"We must make America respected again, we must make America truly wealthy again, and we have – and we will – make America great again," the billionaire candidate said during a speech in Washington DC. "My foreign policy will always put the interest of the American people and American security above all else."
"Under a Trump administration, no American will ever feel that their needs come second to a foreign country," he stated. "I will be America’s greatest defender."
Much of his address focused on criticizing the policy of outgoing two-term President Barack Obama. He blamed Obama for cutting defense and spending, and stressed that his policies would replace "randomness with purpose," as well as "ideology with strategy and chaos with peace."
But in what sounds like a contradiction, Trump stated that, "We have to be unpredictable starting now," referring to the Pentagon’s efforts in combating Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State.
His proposed strategy would eliminate Daesh “very, very quickly” if elected, he said.
"Their days are numbered. I won’t tell them where and I won’t tell them how."
While many deem Trump’s platform to be one of isolation, he has outlined a curiously strong emphasis on military strength.
"We will spend what we need to rebuild our military," he said. "Our military dominance must be unquestioned by anybody and everybody."
Trump also criticized US intervention in Iraq, saying he was proud of the fact that he was against the war and criticized Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s interventionist policies.
"Many of the old people, frankly, don’t know what they are doing," he said. "Unlike other candidates for the presidency, war and aggression will not be my first instinct."
On implementing sanctions, Trump said the practice should be used selectively and with "total determination," and called for renewed US relations with Russia and China.
"We are not bound to be adversaries. We should seek common ground based on mutual interests," he said. "Some say the Russians won’t be reasonable. I intend to find out."
On Tuesday, the former television producer and real estate mogul scored major victories in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, adding to his sizeable delegate lead. It is now mathematically impossible for rival candidates Ted Cruz and John Kasich to enter the convention with enough delegates to win the nomination outright, though if Trump fails to win the required 1,237 delegates, his nomination could be contested.
"America first will be the major and overriding theme of my administration. It’s time to shake the rust off America’s foreign policy," he said, demonstrating a lack of knowledge regarding the proper technique for rust removal.
