AOC dodges Trump’s ‘biggest’ foreign policy question, pivots to climate agreements

Ocasio-Cortez struggled to identify Trump’s top foreign policy move at Munich, using the moment to criticize US climate and global commitments
PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reacted during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany (Getty Images)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reacted during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany (Getty Images)


MUNICH, GERMANY: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced pointed questions at the Munich Security Conference 2026, where she struggled to identify the “single biggest” foreign policy shift under President Donald Trump

During the same appearance, she was pressed about a potential 2028 White House bid but stopped short of ruling it out. Instead, Ocasio pivoted to a broader critique of US foreign policy, using the international stage to outline her views on America’s global role amid growing Democratic speculation about the next presidential race.

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 13: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district, speaks at a Townhall panel on populism at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference, which brings together government leaders, security experts and defence ministers, is taking place at a time when the traditional western political and military alliance is facing rupture due to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke at a town hall panel on populism at the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

AOC stumbles over foreign policy question at Munich Security Conference

Ocasio participated in two panel discussions at the Security Conference, where she answered questions on the war between Russia and Ukraine, the wave of protests in Iran and the broader state of US diplomacy.

At the second panel, Ocasio appeared to falter to identify what she considered the most significant foreign policy shift under Trump when pressed by moderator Francine Lacqua of Bloomberg TV.

She was asked for clarification before appearing to sidestep the question, letting out a slight laugh as she responded, “The single-biggest?” She then pivoted to a broader discussion of international climate agreements rather than naming a specific policy shift.

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 13: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (L) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (C), U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district, listen as U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker speaks during a townhall panel on U.S. foreign policy at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference, which brings together government leaders, security experts and defence ministers, is taking place at a time when the traditional western political and military alliance is facing rupture due to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Gretchen Whitmer and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez listened as Matthew Whitaker spoke during a US foreign policy town hall panel in Munich, Germany (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

She rambled, “Well, I think zooming out beyond just this presidential administration, I think that what we are seeing is — between President Trump’s first administration pulling out of long standing international agreements."

Ocasio further said, "then you have President Biden, who is opting back into some of them, such as, for example, with the Paris Climate Accords, and then you have President Trump that’s elected again."

Still searching for a clear formulation, she added, “I think what we are seeing now is this idea that US foreign policy is — and some of our more basic and foundational values-based commitments seem to be enacted based on the partisanship of whoever is elected.”

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 13: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the Fort Bragg U.S. Army base on February 13, 2026 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Trump visited the base to honor special forces involved in the military operation in Venezuela in early 2026. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Donald Trump spoke during a visit to Fort Bragg US Army base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

AOC criticizes Trump administration’s instability and retreat from global commitments

She also condemned the Trump administration’s decision to shutter the US Agency for International Development, saying, “We play hokey-pokey with USAID, with the Paris climate agreement, with many of our commitments — and I don’t think that that is good for the country.”

Ocasio continued, “It goes far beyond just agreements, and it goes into real aberrations, I think, in interventionism, I think, a turning back on our commitment on human rights, as well as supercharging an economic regime that fuels the 1%."

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 13: U.S. President Donald Trump talks with reporters as he and first lady Melania Trump leave the White House on February 13, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to Fort Bragg in North Carolina to visit Special Operations troops who were involved in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro before continuing to his private Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, for the weekend. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Donald Trump talked with reporters as he and first lady Melania Trump left the White House in Washington, DC (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

Stressing the need for consistency, she said, “I think that what is best is for when we sign an agreement and when we're a part of it, we stay in it, so that they know that our commitments are reflective of our nation's values in a way that transcends, partisanship.”

Pointing to broader consequences, Ocasio added, “And I think that instability is one, but then the other. I think, it is hand in hand with the volatility. On one hand, it goes far beyond just agreements, and it goes into real aberrations.”

"I think that that that piece is the most concerning for everyday people,” she concluded.

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