U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a formal signing ceremony for the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement at the White House in Washington, October 7, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
Trump’s Allies Reassure Japan and South Korea on Biden-Era Policies
Allies of Donald Trump have assured officials in Japan and South Korea that the Republican presidential candidate will support the Biden-era effort to strengthen trilateral ties aimed at countering China and North Korea. This assurance was delivered through policy advisers with direct access to Trump, who have communicated this stance to officials in Seoul and Tokyo over the past few weeks. These advisers have emphasized that if Trump is re-elected, he will support the ongoing efforts of Japan and South Korea to improve military, economic, and diplomatic cooperation to mitigate global tensions.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Trump’s allies to convince key U.S. partners in Asia that his aggressive approach to traditional alliances does not extend to the Indo-Pacific region. This region faces heightened tensions due to issues involving Taiwan, the South China Sea, a new Chinese partnership with Russia, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s engagement with North Korea.
Fred Fleitz, a former chief of staff in Trump’s National Security Council, who met with Japanese officials including national security adviser Takeo Akiba, stated, “I reassured them that the alliance will be strong, that Trump recognizes we have to work closely with our allies to defend their interests.”
The assurances come in the wake of President Biden’s lackluster debate performance, which may influence undecided voters and has led to calls for Biden to step aside in the 2024 race.
Trump’s allies have also discussed other foreign policy plans should he win in November, including a peace plan for Ukraine and a restructuring of NATO funding. The reassurances to Japan and South Korea stand out as they involve direct talks with foreign officials. In May, former Trump foreign policy officials met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Chris LaCivita, senior adviser to the Trump campaign, clarified, “No one has the authority to speak to a foreign government and make promises on behalf of President Donald Trump,” while noting that the campaign’s website does not address this topic.
Fleitz emphasized that he was not speaking on Trump’s behalf but was offering insights based on his experience with the candidate. He predicted that the U.S., Japan, and South Korea would likely collaborate to counter China and North Korea under another Trump term.
Numerous meetings have been held or scheduled at high levels within the Japanese and South Korean governments with right-wing think tanks such as the America First Policy Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and the Hudson Institute. These think tanks are known for planning policies that Trump could implement in 2025.
One Asian official briefed on the meetings stated that their government is taking these meetings seriously and views them as a credible indication of Trump’s potential policy positions.
Planning for a Second Trump Term
The discussions underscore a serious, early effort by Trump’s allies to outline policy priorities for a potential second Trump presidency months ahead of the 2024 U.S. election. Trump’s unexpected 2016 victory had left many countries scrambling to understand his views as he quickly assembled his administration.
The consortium of conservative think tanks, known as “Project 2025,” which is formulating detailed plans for a potential second Trump presidency, describes South Korea and Japan as “critical allies” in military, economic, diplomatic, and technological domains. However, the playbook also suggests pushing South Korea to take a leading role in its conventional defense against North Korea, reflecting Trump’s concern about the U.S. bearing excessive financial responsibility for other countries’ security. Project 2025 has stated that it does not represent the Trump campaign.
Supporting Biden-Era Initiatives
Despite the differences in approach, the outreach by Republicans to Asia indicates a narrow area of potential continuity between Trump and Biden. President Biden has prioritized strengthening traditional alliances that Trump sometimes criticized. Biden has encouraged South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to work together, culminating in a Camp David summit that pledged new defense cooperation amidst North Korean threats and Chinese territorial claims.
“My view, and President Trump shares this, is the deeper we can make the economic ties between the three countries, the stronger the bonds will be,” said Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, who served as ambassador to Japan during the Trump administration and remains in touch with Asian governments.
In Seoul and Tokyo, where officials are considering the possibility of Trump’s return to office, the messages of solidarity from Republicans have been received positively. South Korea’s foreign ministry emphasized the necessity and naturalness of the three countries working together, noting that the effort had bipartisan support in the U.S., including during the prior administration.
Continuity in Trilateral Cooperation
Alexander Gray, a former chief of staff of the White House National Security Council under Trump, reassured that there is no reason trilateral cooperation would languish. He argued that concerns about Trump abandoning Biden-initiated policies are unfounded, emphasizing that President Trump would likely continue efforts that enhance U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific.
As the 2024 U.S. election approaches, these reassurances signal a strategic attempt by Trump’s allies to maintain and potentially deepen critical alliances in Asia, ensuring that U.S. foreign policy remains robust in addressing regional challenges.
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