WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is set to leave the campaign trail this week to attend the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France, where he will deliver speeches emphasizing the strength of American alliances that have historically combated dictatorships and upheld democratic values.

Biden follows a tradition of presidents who have reinforced the importance of Western alliances, which are rooted in free markets, democratic governance, and individual freedoms. However, the future of these alliances could be uncertain, given the closely contested race between Biden and former President Donald Trump. If Trump were to return to power, there are no guarantees he would maintain the foundational pillars of the post-World War II order.

Trump has previously expressed a desire to withdraw from the NATO alliance, a cornerstone against Russian aggression since the Cold War, according to his former national security adviser, John Bolton. A senior Trump White House official revealed that Trump nearly exited NATO during a 2018 summit in Brussels. Trump recently suggested he would allow Russia to act freely in European countries not meeting their defense spending commitments.

Biden's trip offers a platform to draw policy distinctions from his opponent and demonstrate his capability to negotiate with international counterparts, many of whom are significantly younger. His speeches will implicitly criticize Trump's “America First” approach, which often alienated allies.

“This is a very important opportunity for President Biden to reaffirm our NATO alliance and emphasize that the world is really on the cusp of a turning point,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee. “We are living through the middle of the fight for democracy and freedom over authoritarianism.”

On Thursday, Biden will speak in Normandy on the anniversary of the June 6, 1944, beach landings that initiated the liberation of Europe from Nazi control. On Friday, he will speak at Pointe du Hoc, where U.S. Army Rangers scaled cliffs to dismantle German defenses. His remarks will focus on defending “freedom and democracy,” according to the White House.

This visit has political resonance, similar to President Ronald Reagan's re-election campaign in 1984, where he delivered a notable speech at Pointe du Hoc, declaring, “These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.” Reagan's address is remembered for its powerful rhetoric and played a role in his landslide victory over Democrat Walter Mondale.

“Biden will probably try to hit those same notes that unify everybody,” said James Melville, a former U.S. ambassador to Estonia. “I’m sure the political folks are looking at that [Reagan’s speech] and thinking how do they steal some of that magic.”

After meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Saturday, Biden will return to the U.S. briefly before heading to southern Italy for a Group of Seven summit of the world's leading economies. During his European visits, Biden will be among allies with whom he has built respectful relationships over his five-decade career in public office.

In contrast, Trump's international engagements often resulted in conflicts with allies and camaraderie with authoritarian leaders. In 2018, after refusing to sign a G7 joint statement, Trump publicly criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling him "very dishonest & weak."

“He got into spats with the Canadians,” Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., noted. “The Canadians are the nicest people in the world! How do you make the Canadians mad?”

Foreign leaders will be carefully observing Biden’s interactions and speeches, gauging the potential outcomes of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Keith Kellogg, a senior national security official in the Trump White House, mentioned that various foreign officials, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, have visited Trump recently, indicating that European leaders are hedging their bets.

Kellogg suggested that while Trump may not withdraw from NATO, he might implement a “tiered” system where the U.S. only protects NATO countries contributing at least 2% of their GDP to defense.

Foreign trips can significantly enhance a president's image, showcasing the grandeur of presidential travel and international respect. However, any mishaps during Biden's trip, such as physical stumbles or speech errors, could reignite concerns about his fitness for office. Historical precedents, such as President George H.W. Bush's unfortunate incident in Japan in 1992, demonstrate how quickly such events can overshadow achievements.

William Cohen, a former Republican senator from Maine and defense secretary under President Bill Clinton, emphasized the importance of Biden's upcoming trip. Cohen, a Biden supporter, stated that Biden must convince both world leaders and the American public of his vitality and capability to lead.

“Biden has the burden of persuading them [world leaders] that he can carry the vote here. He has to present himself as a more vigorous, dynamic person than he has to date,” Cohen said. “The real issue for them [other leaders] is can he persuade the American people that it's important for him to win. And if he can't persuade the American people, then they're going to take their bets and put them elsewhere.”

Biden’s upcoming European engagements are critical, not only for reinforcing U.S. alliances but also for demonstrating his leadership capabilities. The outcome of his efforts will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, potentially shaping the narrative of his re-election campaign.