Asked about Trump, Reporter Admires His Understanding of Dissatisfaction, But …

Published in Sankei Shimbun
(Japan) on 1 January 2025
by Kazuyuki Sakamoto (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Dorothy Phoenix. Edited by Michelle Bisson.
On Jan. 20, Republican Donald Trump will take office as the 47th president of the United States. He plans to enact significant policy shifts from Democratic President Joe Biden's administration.

After last November's election, this reporter received questions from many Americans asking what I thought about Trump becoming president. The questions were such that Republicans expected me to express approval, while Democrats expected me to object.

I avoided being for or against the outcome, answering bureaucratically that it’s the American citizens' choice, and I respect it, nodding my head as I expressed my thoughts.

One Republican supporter explained that Trump is skilled at understanding the dissatisfaction that voters have with society and government, and said Trump appeals to voters with his blunt language. This reporter does admire Trump’s knack for finding issues and words that resonate with voters.

His positions on Mexico, Canada and China, which he vehemently criticizes for endangering the U.S. with illegal immigration and the trade deficit, strike a chord with voters, and Trump has repeatedly touted a strong America under his leadership.

However, Trump's “America First” doctrine, which recognizes his supporters’ discontent, could also cause friction with allies and friendly nation. How can the U.S. achieve a balance between America First and international cooperation? We’ll have to figure out how Trump’s approval ratings are trending and predict his actions accordingly.


トランプ氏への賛否で質問攻めに遭う 不満くみ取る能力には感嘆するけれど…

1月20日、第47代米大統領に共和党のトランプ氏が就任し、民主党のバイデン政権から大きな政策転換が図られる。

記者は昨年11月の大統領選後、何人もの米国人から「トランプ氏が大統領になることをどう思う」との質問を受けた。共和党支持者は「賛同」を、民主党支持者は「反対」を求めるような問いかけだった。

記者が「米市民の選択であり、その選択を尊重する」と官僚的な答弁で賛否を避けると、うなずきながらそれぞれの思いを吐露していた。

ある共和党支持者は、トランプ氏が有権者の社会や政治に対する不満を巧みにくみ取り、歯に衣(きぬ)着せぬ物言いで有権者の留飲を下げてきたと解説していた。有権者に響く問題や言葉を見つけ出すその嗅覚には記者も感嘆する。

不法移民や貿易赤字で米国が被害を受けているとしてメキシコやカナダ、中国などを激しく非難する姿勢に支持者は共鳴し、トランプ氏のリーダーシップと「強い米国」を重ねている。

ただ、有権者の不満を意識した「米国第一」主義は、同盟国や友好国との摩擦も引き起こしかねない。「米国第一」主義と国際協調のバランスをどのようにとっていくのか。支持率や世論の動きを見極めてトランプ氏の動きを予測する必要がありそうだ。(坂本一之)
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