North Carolina · U.S. Senate · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on foreign policy and trade?
Roy CooperDemocrat
Michael WhatleyRepublican
Part of the full North Carolina U.S. Senate comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Foreign Policy & Trade
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Roy Cooper
Has called for ending the U.S. war with Iran, saying it lacks a strategy and is raising prices; his campaign said he generally opposes withholding aid from Israel.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Public statementSept. 10, 2026
Has called for ending the war in Iran, saying it has no strategy and is driving up gas, diesel and other prices, and said in a newspaper questionnaire that as senator he would work to end it. 3 sourcesCooper defends record as Trump, Whatley hammer him on public safety, Helene (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 10, 2026 · NewsSafety and affordability: Why NC's U.S. Senate candidates keep hitting the same themes (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Aug. 14, 2026 · NewsWe asked four candidates for NC's Senate seat what they'd do if they win (opens in a new tab)The News & Observer, via Yahoo News · Oct. 10, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
- Public statementAug. 3, 2025
A campaign aide said in August 2025 that Cooper generally does not believe the U.S. should withhold aid from Israel, would consider the text of specific bills, and wants other pressure on Israel's government to get food to people who need it and return hostages. SourceDemocrats' top Senate recruit Roy Cooper rejects effort to block aid to Israel (opens in a new tab)Jewish Insider · Aug. 3, 2025 · News
- Public statementSept. 10, 2026
Has called for ending the war in Iran, saying it has no strategy and is driving up gas, diesel and other prices, and said in a newspaper questionnaire that as senator he would work to end it. 3 sourcesCooper defends record as Trump, Whatley hammer him on public safety, Helene (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 10, 2026 · NewsSafety and affordability: Why NC's U.S. Senate candidates keep hitting the same themes (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Aug. 14, 2026 · NewsWe asked four candidates for NC's Senate seat what they'd do if they win (opens in a new tab)The News & Observer, via Yahoo News · Oct. 10, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
- Public statementAug. 3, 2025
A campaign aide said in August 2025 that Cooper generally does not believe the U.S. should withhold aid from Israel, would consider the text of specific bills, and wants other pressure on Israel's government to get food to people who need it and return hostages. SourceDemocrats' top Senate recruit Roy Cooper rejects effort to block aid to Israel (opens in a new tab)Jewish Insider · Aug. 3, 2025 · News
Michael Whatley
Supports the U.S. war with Iran, saying Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.
Show the evidence (1)Hide the evidence
- Public statementSept. 30, 2026
Has continued to support the U.S. military conflict with Iran; asked in September 2026 about higher diesel prices, he said Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. 2 sourcesWhatley doubles down on support for tariffs, Iran War, tax cuts (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 30, 2026 · NewsTrump slams Cooper, boosts Whatley in NC speech focused on crime (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 16, 2026 · News
- Public statementSept. 30, 2026
Has continued to support the U.S. military conflict with Iran; asked in September 2026 about higher diesel prices, he said Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. 2 sourcesWhatley doubles down on support for tariffs, Iran War, tax cuts (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 30, 2026 · NewsTrump slams Cooper, boosts Whatley in NC speech focused on crime (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 16, 2026 · News
In their own words
Statements
Roy Cooper
War with Iran
This war in Iran has no strategy, and we know that it is sending prices soaring at home
Roy Cooper · Campaign stop in Henderson, N.C., reported by WRAL · Aug. 14, 2026
SourceSafety and affordability: Why NC's U.S. Senate candidates keep hitting the same themes (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Aug. 14, 2026 · News
Michael Whatley
War with Iran
My message is that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons
Michael Whatley · Answer to reporters asking about record diesel prices, at a news conference in Raleigh · Sept. 30, 2026
SourceWhatley doubles down on support for tariffs, Iran War, tax cuts (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
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