Foreign Governments' Tactics to Influence American Policy: A Historical and Contemporary Analysis

Recent charges against Texas Representative Henry Cuellar and the trial of New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez have highlighted the persistent issue of foreign governments attempting to shape American policy through underhanded means. These efforts often involve a dual-track strategy, where foreign governments court policymakers through lobbying and other means while also working to shape American public opinion to limit the options for members of Congress and the President.

One of the most significant historical cases of a regime shaping American policy is that of Rafael Trujillo, who seized control of the Dominican Republic in 1930. Trujillo used lobbying, public relations, and other strategies to mold U.S. public opinion and policy in his favor, setting the standard for regimes seeking to cultivate beneficial relationships with members of Congress.

Understanding the tactics used by foreign governments to influence American policy is essential for maintaining national sovereignty and democratic integrity. Failure to address these efforts can lead to policy decisions that benefit foreign interests over those of the American people.

In the late 1930s, Trujillo's agents identified Congress as a necessary instrument to shape U.S. foreign policy. After the Parsley Massacre in 1937, Trujillo's officials ordered diplomats to compare his racist, anti-Black policies to racism and segregation in the U.S. and used the lobbying services of Joseph Davies, a close friend of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Trujillo's officials established beneficial connections with Congress members, including New York Representative Hamilton Fish Jr. and Massachusetts Senator David Walsh. Fish received at least $25,000 from the dictator's agents, while Walsh received gifts, including cases of liquor and mahogany furniture, plus six mosaic tiles torn off the walls of the Iglesia de San Nicolás de Barí. These connections led to Fish and Walsh defending Trujillo as a Christian statesman, despite initial criticism.

Trujillo's agents refined their formula, turning to more acceptable forms of lobbying to maintain a favorable image in Congress. The Dominican government obtained the services of former members of Congress, including New York Representative William Pheiffer and Montana Senator Burton Wheeler. Wheeler's firm had a $12,500 contract with the Compañía Dominicana de Aviación and demonstrated the value of such ties in 1948.

Trujillo also used golf as a means to court members of Congress. He sponsored William A. Morgan, a respected physician, to arrange Caribbean sojourns for Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenberg's family members. Although this effort failed, Morgan went on to court other members of Congress because of a shared interest in golf. Trujillo's most valuable ally, former U.S. Attorney General Homer Cummings, hosted a biannual golf tournament in Pinehurst, N.C., which enabled those who championed Trujillo to play alongside powerful figures in politics and industry.

The tactics employed by Trujillo have set a precedent for contemporary cases of foreign influence. For instance, the recent charges against Texas Representative Henry Cuellar and New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez highlight the ongoing issue of foreign governments attempting to shape American policy. These cases reveal that foreign entities still use a combination of lobbying, bribery, and public relations to influence U.S. policymakers.

Moreover, the use of social connections and shared interests is evident in modern cases. For example, TikTok, a video app owned by a Chinese company, made an extraordinary offer to the Biden administration in 2022 to save itself from potential threats. The proposal included letting federal officials pick its U.S. operation's board of directors, giving the government veto power over new hires, paying an American company to monitor its source code, and providing a kill switch to shut down the app if deemed a threat. Despite this offer, the Biden administration declined to take control of TikTok's U.S. operations.

The ongoing scrutiny of Chinese companies in the U.S. further highlights the complexities of foreign influence. For instance, Wanxiang America Corp, a Chinese-owned company, has faced anti-China sentiment, leading to the collapse of several deals worth billions of dollars because of concerns about geopolitical risks and foreign investment reviews.

To summarize, the strategies employed by foreign governments to influence American policy have evolved over time but remain fundamentally similar. From Trujillo's use of bribery and lobbying to modern cases involving social connections and public relations, the goal remains the same: to shape U.S. policy in their favor.

Key Takeaways

• Foreign governments use dual-track strategy to shape US policy through lobbying and public opinion.
• Rafael Trujillo's regime in the Dominican Republic set a precedent for foreign influence in the 1930s.
• Trujillo's tactics included bribery, lobbying, and social connections to influence US policymakers.
• Modern cases, such as TikTok and Wanxiang America Corp, show ongoing foreign influence efforts.
• Understanding foreign influence tactics is crucial for maintaining national sovereignty and democratic integrity.