Clinton Keeps an Eye on the World’s Balance

Published in Nikkei Shimbun
(Japan) on 31 July 2016
by Editorial (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Fatuma Muhamed. Edited by Melanie Rehfuss.
America is still the most influential country, and it needs a president befitting of that status. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has the qualifications, but people have their doubts about her. In particular, Clinton has adopted left-leaning policies in order to ensure liberal support. I am hoping for an election campaign without any spectacle, one befitting of such a front-runner nominee.

“Just one more step.” The Democratic Convention, where Clinton was officially appointed as the presidential nominee, was engulfed in happy cheers. The convention was brimming with various emotions; not only do people want to see Clinton win against Republican candidate Donald Trump, but she is also one step away from becoming America's first female president. If that were to happen, it would be a great help to the standing of women across the world.

The most important quality in a world leader isn't their gender, but their judgment and executive ability. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations became the Obama administration's main vehicle for rebalancing Asia; it's only natural that Japan and the allied nations will pin their combined hopes on Clinton.

Strengthening bonds with Asia-Pacific allies was one of the goals set at the DNC — including a note on America fulfilling its historical obligations with Japan. This means the Democrats will inherit the Obama administration's policies, which made it clear that Okinawa's Senkaku Islands fell under the jurisdiction of the Japan-United States Security Treaty. That one part of the treaty holds great influence over all of Asia.

Dealing with the Trans-Pacific Partnership is a troubling matter. Sen. Tim Kaine, Clinton's running mate and a proponent of the trade agreement, was met with “No TPP” signs when he took to the stage. As if to suppress their voices, Clinton stressed that she opposed unfair trade agreements during her acceptance speech. Trump also opposes the TPP; future prospects are looking quite grim.

Is all of that really correct? It's true that America is suffering under de-industrialization, but more should be gained than lost under free trade. Asking ourselves “how can we overcome globalization's negative effects” is a worldwide issue, Europe included. Meanwhile, America should be the leading figure in the market economy.

In her platform, Clinton promises to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour, provide free university education at public institutions, and other similarly left-influenced goals — whether they can be achieved is questionable. Even if Clinton wins, managing the government isn't likely to be easy. Hopefully, as president, she will keep a close eye on global stability.


米国はいまも世界で最も影響力を持つ国だ。その地位にふさわしい大統領に誕生してもらいたい。ヒラリー・クリントン前国務長官にはその資質があるが、不安もある。リベラル層の支持固めを狙うあまり、左派寄りの政策が目立つのだ。本命候補らしく、奇をてらわない選挙戦を期待したい。

 「あと一歩」。クリントン氏を大統領候補に正式に指名した民主党大会はこんな歓声に包まれた。共和党のドナルド・トランプ候補に勝ちたいというだけでなく、米国初の女性大統領の誕生まであと一歩という感慨にあふれていた。実現すれば、世界の女性の地位向上に一助となる。

 もっとも、いちばん大事なのは男か女かではなく、世界のリーダーに必要な見識と実行力を備えているかどうかだ。オバマ政権のアジア回帰政策のけん引役となったクリントン氏に日本や東南アジア諸国連合(ASEAN)諸国の期待が集まるのは当然である。

 民主党大会で採択した政策綱領には「アジア太平洋の同盟国との関係深化」が盛り込まれた。特に日本に関しては「歴史的な責務を果たす」と付言した。オバマ政権が明確にした「沖縄県の尖閣諸島は日米安全保障条約の範囲内」との方針を継承するという意味だ。この一文がアジアの安保に与える影響は大きい。

 懸念されるのが、環太平洋経済連携協定(TPP)への取り組みである。TPPに前向きだったティム・ケーン上院議員が副大統領候補として登壇すると、「TPP反対」のプラカードが振られた。その声に押されてか、クリントン氏は指名受諾演説で「不公正な貿易協定に反対する」と力説した。TPPにはトランプ氏も反対しており、先行きはかなり危うい。

 本当にそれでよいのか。米国が産業の空洞化に苦しんでいるのは事実だが、自由貿易の発展で得るものは失うものよりも大きいはずだ。グローバリズムの弊害をどう乗り越えるかは欧州をはじめ世界的な課題である。米国はむしろ市場経済の旗手であるべきだ。

 クリントン氏の公約には(1)最低賃金の15ドルへの引き上げ(2)大学授業料の無償化に努力――など左派に引きずられ、実現性に疑問符の付くものが少なくない。これではクリントン氏が勝った場合でも政権運営は容易ではあるまい。世界の安定にきちんと目配りする大統領候補になってもらいたい。
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