Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, a Cuban-American attorney and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, recently articulated his support for Donald Trump's approach to U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues during an interview in Sevilla.

Serving as an advisor with the consultancy firm ATREVIA, Díaz-Rosillo defended Trump's perspective on tariffs, national security, and immigration control.

Díaz-Rosillo described Trump's tariff policy as rooted in five primary reasons: the principle of reciprocity, national security concerns, cultural motivations, pragmatic revenue generation, and negotiation leverage.

He highlighted that Trump has long believed the U.S. has been treated unfairly by its allies and asserts that retaliatory tariffs are a justified means of ensuring fair trade practices.

In terms of national security, he pointed to the U.S.'s overreliance on foreign countries, particularly adversarial nations like China, to meet its manufacturing needs.

He emphasized the need to revive American industrial production for security reasons and to counteract jobs lost to globalization and free trade agreements.

Díaz-Rosillo further noted that the tariff policy serves as a means to negotiate favorable conditions for the U.S. and is viewed by many Americans as a necessary measure to protect their jobs.

However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential adverse effects of these policies on American workers and the economy.

Many economists and international organizations have expressed skepticism about the efficacy of such tariffs, predicting they could reduce revenue and harm the very demographic that supports Trump.

Díaz-Rosillo acknowledged these concerns but suggested that Trump will be able to claim successes based on tariff revenues, which could be redirected to fund domestic programs or pay down debt.

On the international stage, Díaz-Rosillo cautioned against European nations drawing closer to China, characterizing it as a dangerous path that threatens not only Europe but global security overall.

He asserted that Trump’s administration has prioritized American interests over fostering broader international alliances, challenging European nations to increase their defense spending.

He remarked that it is unjust for the U.S. to shoulder the bulk of NATO's defense budget while many member countries fail to meet their agreed-upon spending commitments.

Addressing the contentious issue of immigration, he defended Trump’s policies aimed at reducing illegal immigration.

Díaz-Rosillo claimed that prior to Trump's presidency, the U.S. experienced a significant influx of undocumented immigrants.

Trump's approach, he argued, has been to implement stricter controls on immigration to ensure national borders are secure.

He acknowledged the controversy surrounding the expulsion of some international students from U.S. universities, suggesting that a focus on protecting national interests has led to changes in visa processes for foreign students.

He claimed that while the majority contribute positively to the academic environment, there are concerns about some individuals stealing intellectual property and returning to countries like China with sensitive information.

Díaz-Rosillo also discussed the restructuring of federal funding to universities, particularly Harvard, clarifying that federal support is not an entitlement but a privilege contingent upon compliance with government regulations.

His remarks highlighted a perceived cultural divide where universities are seen as increasingly aligned with extreme left ideals, affecting students' willingness to express differing opinions in academic settings.

As for foreign aid, he expressed that such funding should align with U.S. national interests and suggested that previous allocations have misused taxpayer money in ways that do not benefit Americans.

He highlighted concerns over spending that goes towards social projects contrary to current governmental objectives.

The narrative of Trump's administration has sparked debate about American foreign policy and its implications for global relations.

Díaz-Rosillo argues that Trump's business-like approach to international diplomacy reframes relationships as transactional, emphasizing that nations operate primarily based on their interests rather than friendship, echoing sentiments that have long informed realpolitik.