1 Year into Trump Administration: Don’t Lose Your Allies’ Trust
It has only been one year since President Donald Trump took office again. His vaunted “America First” principle has shaken up the international order, and United States' presence has come to symbolize world instability.
Trump's extreme focus on his own country has damaged the international community's trust, including that of America's allies. Will this situation have any connection to true U.S. national interests?
Undoubtedly, the Trump administration must rigorously face reality, and other nations, including Japan, must strengthen pressure to keep the U.S. from isolationism.
Trump, who is in his second term, has also shown a rigid stance toward China. In his 2025 National Security Strategy, he declared his intention to defend Taiwan. He also decided to sell Taiwan a huge stash of weapons. This is also preferable for Japan, which is facing an increasingly severe security situation. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration must enhance the U.S.-Japan alliance even further.
However, there is also incertainty. We cannot believe that Trump will be consistent. Could Trump, who will also visit China in April,prove too impatient for actual gain, postponing the Taiwan problem? There is a danger that the U.S.-China relationship will become the largest variable this year.
In the Ukraine peace negotiations, Trump brings an impending sense of danger to the West. He must not force concessions on an invaded Ukraine and attempt to close the issue with a structural plan for Russia's victory. Ukraine is connected by land to Europe, and we hope that Europe will participate further in working toward settling the problem.
Trump has also shown ambition to possess Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark. However, Greenland and Denmark are allied nations that belong to NATO. If Trump gains military control, he will bear responsibility for the collapse of NATO, and that is likely to adversely affect the ability to maintain the international order, already facing threats from China and Russia.
Trump's high tariff policies have shaken the free-trade system at its foundation, with no regard to international law. He has given no indication that he will stop using tariffs to strike deals, posing a relentlessly high risk for other countries.
Within the U.S., divisions continue to deepen. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is under investigation by the Department of Justice, criticized the investigation as “intimidation.” Trump has dismissed public prosecutors who have investigated him on criminal charges. People have also widely criticized pressure on journalistic, artistic and academic freedom. Trump's tactics are a shock to the foundation of democracy and chip away at America's vitality.
The autumn midterm elections are approaching, and Trump-style policy administration could ramp up. Every country needs to deal with this risk.
Trump's extreme focus on his own country has damaged the international community's trust, including that of America's allies. Will this situation have any connection to true U.S. national interests?
Undoubtedly, the Trump administration must rigorously face reality, and other nations, including Japan, must strengthen pressure to keep the U.S. from isolationism.
Trump, who is in his second term, has also shown a rigid stance toward China. In his 2025 National Security Strategy, he declared his intention to defend Taiwan. He also decided to sell Taiwan a huge stash of weapons. This is also preferable for Japan, which is facing an increasingly severe security situation. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration must enhance the U.S.-Japan alliance even further.
However, there is also incertainty. We cannot believe that Trump will be consistent. Could Trump, who will also visit China in April,prove too impatient for actual gain, postponing the Taiwan problem? There is a danger that the U.S.-China relationship will become the largest variable this year.
In the Ukraine peace negotiations, Trump brings an impending sense of danger to the West. He must not force concessions on an invaded Ukraine and attempt to close the issue with a structural plan for Russia's victory. Ukraine is connected by land to Europe, and we hope that Europe will participate further in working toward settling the problem.
Trump has also shown ambition to possess Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark. However, Greenland and Denmark are allied nations that belong to NATO. If Trump gains military control, he will bear responsibility for the collapse of NATO, and that is likely to adversely affect the ability to maintain the international order, already facing threats from China and Russia.
Trump's high tariff policies have shaken the free-trade system at its foundation, with no regard to international law. He has given no indication that he will stop using tariffs to strike deals, posing a relentlessly high risk for other countries.
Within the U.S., divisions continue to deepen. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is under investigation by the Department of Justice, criticized the investigation as “intimidation.” Trump has dismissed public prosecutors who have investigated him on criminal charges. People have also widely criticized pressure on journalistic, artistic and academic freedom. Trump's tactics are a shock to the foundation of democracy and chip away at America's vitality.
The autumn midterm elections are approaching, and Trump-style policy administration could ramp up. Every country needs to deal with this risk.
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