US Presidential Election: Too Domestically Focused?

Super Tuesday, a pivotal day in the U.S. presidential election, has concluded in overwhelming victories for Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Both have come closer to securing a presidential nomination after winning these further victories.

Although the contest for the presidential nominations is heating up, the focus continues to be on Trump’s attitude and the opinions he expresses. The president of the United States, however, is not only the head of a single country; he also has an important role and responsibility as leader of the international community. If the U.S. president holds the role of international leader, a crucial part of the dialogue, which includes discussion of the candidates’ plans for the U.S. within a multipolar world, has become stagnant.

In the U.S. today, stresses on society, like increased class disparities and the disappearing middle class, are reportedly reaching their limits. After the attacks on Paris by the radical Islamic State organization, fears of domestic terrorism are also on the rise.

Trump is steadily advancing in this social climate, despite the early belief that his candidacy would be short-lived. His exclusionary remarks regarding the construction of a wall at the Mexican border and preventing Muslims from entering the U.S. are gaining support.

Although his assertions are generally unrealistic, they are resonating with the discontent and worry that low-income white Americans feel. Such worries are likely what is driving support for Trump and his campaign to “Make America Great Again!”

Trump has also repeatedly made radical remarks against Japan, stating that Japan is trying to kill the American economy and that the U.S.–Japan Security Treaty is unfair since “Japan doesn’t have to do anything” if the U.S. is attacked.

Trump is using the public’s anger toward the current government to his advantage by employing a strategy that eliminates voters’ worries and sense of dissatisfaction. He is fueling the public’s feelings of being victimized, a perfect example of populism. As for the opposition, Clinton also lacks fresh policy ideas and is not presenting a new image for the United States. Both of their campaigns appear to be solely focused on domestic concerns.

The U.S. should not focus only on domestic issues. Its diplomatic policies toward China and the situation in the Middle East have a large effect on the world economy, spanning not only military concerns but also economic trends and financial policies. Its foreign policy has an especially significant impact on Okinawa, which feels the effects of military policies due to the large U.S. military base there.

International policies that include candidates’ stances toward East Asia and the Middle East should be included in broad debates on policy. Expectations for further discussion on international policy are high as the main election approaches.