President-elect Donald Trump appears at a rally in Florida on November 6 (Reuters/Kyodo).
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On November 6, Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump declared victory in the United States presidential election. During his victory speech, he stated that his goal was to build "a prosperous America." After the Electoral College vote in December, he is set to be inaugurated on January 20. His inauguration will mark his first return to office since January 2021.
As in previous elections, Trump rallied support with slogans like "Make America Great Again" and "America First." He gained voter support by criticizing Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris on inflation and illegal immigration. Mr Trump's resilience in overcoming two assassination attempts likely also contributed to his appeal.
Pushing forward domestic policies such as addressing inflation and illegal immigration in line with his campaign promises is only natural. Nevertheless, Mr Trump should not limit his focus solely to inward-facing politics.
Ensuring Cooperation with Japan
In his previous administration, President Trump identified the threat posed by the authoritarian state of China. Subsequently, he made a historic decision to counter that threat through military and economic deterrence.
President Joe Biden maintained this approach throughout his administration. Many hope the new Trump administration will continue to take decisive action, as he did in his first administration, to uphold the international order.
The world has changed significantly since the last Trump presidency. Despite China's economic decline, it has intensified military intimidation around Taiwan and in the South and East China Seas. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has now lasted almost three years. Moreover, conflicts in the Middle East show no signs of abating.
Authoritarian regimes threaten the world order based on freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Never has American resolve and unity among democratic nations been more critical.
As Mr Trump argued at the Republican National Convention in July, he must work to heal domestic discord and division. For the Trump administration, however, the true enemy is not simply the internal adversaries who did not support him. Rather, it is the authoritarian governments that threaten the existence and prosperity of America and other democratic nations.
During the presidential election, China repeatedly engaged in military provocations against Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. In October, during Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, Russian naval vessels passed through Japan's territorial waters of the Miyako Strait. Some analysts view this as a sign of China and Russia strengthening cooperation in preparation for a potential Taiwan contingency.
Additionally, just before the election, North Korea launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Deterring a Taiwan Contingency
There have been concerns about the upcoming administration's position on Taiwan. For the first time since 1980, the Republican Party's policy platform omitted a pledge to "support Taiwan's self-defense." Mr Trump has also expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "Taiwan should pay for defense. We're no different than an insurance company."
However, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are vital for both Japan and the US. And they are essential for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Therefore, it is strongly hoped that Washington will advance military modernization and strengthen deterrence against China.
And Ukraine
North Korea is now among the countries invading Ukraine, which makes continued support of Kyiv an even greater priority. Reports indicate that a North Korean military unit deployed to Ukraine has already clashed with Ukrainian forces. This highlights the interconnected security challenges facing both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
President-elect Trump has stated that if he won the election, he would seek to achieve a ceasefire immediately. However, a true ceasefire can only mean the immediate and complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine's territory. Moreover, granting concessions to either Russia or North Korea would invite aggression from the authoritarian states surrounding Japan.
Reinforcing Global Alliances
Mr Trump will likely insist that allied nations contribute their fair share to regional defense. This is understandable, given that America cannot deter authoritarian regimes alone.
Nevertheless, it is equally important to highlight the need for cooperation with Japan, the Group of Seven advanced industrial states (G7), and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. These strong alliances and partnerships among democratic nations are key to global stability. Moreover, they also underpin the prosperity of the United States. Disunity within the democratic world would only encourage authoritarian powers like China and Russia.
Working With Asian Allies and Partners
Mr Trump has voiced his opposition to the Biden administration's Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). Washington's absence, however, would only bolster China's influence in the region. Hopefully, his administration will reconsider this decision.
With fears of a full-scale conflict between Israel and Iran, the situation in the Middle East remains an acute concern. Mr Trump is urged to use America's influence with Israel to help stabilize the region.
America is Japan's single ally and most important partner. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's administration must urgently reach out to Mr Trump's team and cultivate a strong, trusting relationship.
RELATED:
- After Trump Victory, Japan Pushes for Stronger US Relations
- INTERVIEW | Imagining a New Trump Administration: Japan as 'Independent' and 'Resilient' Ally
- America, Ask Japan: China Is Closer Than You Think
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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