1 Year of the Trump Administration: Do Not Lose Trust of Allied Nations
It has only been one year since the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. His highlighted “America First” principle has shaken up the international order, and the presence of the U.S. has become emblematic of world instability.
An attitude too focused on his own country has damaged the international community's trust, including 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 of office, has also shown a rigid stance towards China. In his 2025 National Security Strategy, he demonstrated his intention to defend Taiwan. He also decided to sell Taiwan a large amount of weapons. This is also preferable for Japan, which is facing an increasingly severe security situation. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration must strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance even further.
However, there is also uneasiness. We cannot have faith in Trump's consistency. Could Trump, who will also visit China in April, possibly 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 ambitions to possess Greenland, a self-governing domain of Denmark. However, Greenland and Denmark are allied nations that are part of NATO. If Trump gains military control, he will bear responsibility for the collapse of NATO's viability, and it will likely have an adverse effect on maintaining the international order, which is facing threats from China and Russia.
Trump's high tariff policies have shaken the free-trade system at its foundations, with no consideration for international rules. He has given no indication that he will stop using tariffs as a technique for deals, posing a continuing high risk for all other countries.
Within the U.S., divisions continue to deepen. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is under investigation by Department of Justice officials, criticized the investigation as “intimidation” from the Trump administration. Trump has dismissed public prosecutors who investigated allegations against himself. There has also been much criticism about the pressure on journalistic, artistic and academic freedom. His methods, which are a shock to the foundation of democracy, chip away at America's vitality.
The autumn midterm elections are approaching, and Trump-style policy administration could ramp up. All countries must deal with this risk appropriately.
An attitude too focused on his own country has damaged the international community's trust, including 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 of office, has also shown a rigid stance towards China. In his 2025 National Security Strategy, he demonstrated his intention to defend Taiwan. He also decided to sell Taiwan a large amount of weapons. This is also preferable for Japan, which is facing an increasingly severe security situation. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration must strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance even further.
However, there is also uneasiness. We cannot have faith in Trump's consistency. Could Trump, who will also visit China in April, possibly 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 ambitions to possess Greenland, a self-governing domain of Denmark. However, Greenland and Denmark are allied nations that are part of NATO. If Trump gains military control, he will bear responsibility for the collapse of NATO's viability, and it will likely have an adverse effect on maintaining the international order, which is facing threats from China and Russia.
Trump's high tariff policies have shaken the free-trade system at its foundations, with no consideration for international rules. He has given no indication that he will stop using tariffs as a technique for deals, posing a continuing high risk for all other countries.
Within the U.S., divisions continue to deepen. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is under investigation by Department of Justice officials, criticized the investigation as “intimidation” from the Trump administration. Trump has dismissed public prosecutors who investigated allegations against himself. There has also been much criticism about the pressure on journalistic, artistic and academic freedom. His methods, which are a shock to the foundation of democracy, chip away at America's vitality.
The autumn midterm elections are approaching, and Trump-style policy administration could ramp up. All countries must deal with this risk appropriately.
Previous article![]( "Irish Examiner View: No Force, All Farce from Trump in Davos")
