In a series of conversations over the past weeks, policy advisers close to Donald Trump have assured officials in Japan and South Korea that the Republican presidential candidate will support the Biden-era effort to deepen trilateral ties aimed at countering China and North Korea. Five individuals familiar with these discussions revealed this to Reuters, highlighting a significant push by Trump’s allies to ease concerns in Asia about the future of US foreign policy. The advisors have conveyed to officials in Seoul and Tokyo that, if Trump takes office again, he will back efforts to improve and strengthen military, economic, and diplomatic cooperation among the US, Japan, and South Korea to mitigate global tensions.
These discussions represent a proactive effort by Trump’s camp to alleviate fears that his previous hardline stance on traditional alliances might persist. The US faces heightened tensions over Taiwan, the South China Sea, and a growing Chinese-Russian partnership, with Russian President Vladimir Putin also courting North Korea. Fred Fleitz, a former chief of staff in Trump’s National Security Council, emphasized the importance of these alliances during his recent visit to Japan, where he met with national security adviser Takeo Akiba. Fleitz reassured Japanese officials that Trump acknowledges the necessity of working closely with allies to defend their interests.
The Context and Weight of These Assurances
The recent push by Trump’s allies gains significance in light of President Biden’s poor debate performance, which may shift undecided voters towards Trump and has led to calls for Biden to reconsider his 2024 candidacy. Trump’s allies are also floating other foreign policy initiatives, including a peace plan for Ukraine and a restructuring of NATO funding. However, the reassurances to Japan and South Korea carry particular weight due to direct engagements with foreign officials. This proactive approach contrasts with the often contentious nature of Trump’s previous foreign policy strategies and reflects a calculated effort to solidify relationships in a region critical to US interests.
Despite these assurances, the Trump campaign has not officially confirmed whether he would endorse these proposals. Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, stated that no one has the authority to make promises to foreign governments on behalf of Trump. The policy section of Trump’s campaign website remains silent on these topics. Fleitz clarified that his discussions were based on his understanding of Trump’s likely policies, not official campaign promises, suggesting that the US, Japan, and South Korea would likely collaborate to counter China and North Korea under a potential Trump administration.
Strategic Engagements with Asia and Think Tanks
Numerous meetings have been held or are scheduled at the highest levels of the Japanese and South Korean governments with influential right-wing think tanks such as the America First Policy Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and the Hudson Institute. These organizations are known for developing policies that Trump could potentially implement in 2025. Sources indicated that these engagements are part of a broader strategy to align with Trump’s possible return to office, providing a framework for future cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
An official from one Asian government, who was briefed on the recent meetings with Trump’s allies, expressed that their government is taking these discussions seriously and views them as a plausible representation of Trump’s potential policy stance. This strategic engagement aims to reassure Asian allies of continued US support and collaboration, addressing concerns about future policy shifts and emphasizing the importance of the trilateral alliance in maintaining regional stability and countering adversarial actions from China and North Korea.
Trump Allies Outline Second Term Plans Ahead of 2024 Election
The conversations among Donald allies indicate a serious and early effort to outline policy priorities for a potential second Donald presidency, months before the 2024 US election. Donald is currently leading in several battleground states that could be decisive in the race. This proactive approach contrasts with the aftermath of Donald’s unexpected 2016 election win, which left many countries scrambling to understand the new president’s views as he hastily assembled his White House team.
The consortium of conservative think tanks known as “Project 2025” has been at the forefront of this planning. They have detailed plans for a second Donald presidency, emphasizing South Korea and Japan as “critical allies” in the military, economic, diplomatic, and technological sectors. However, their playbook also suggests pushing South Korea to take the lead in its conventional defense against North Korea. This reflects Donald’s concern about the US taking on too much financial responsibility for other countries’ security. It’s important to note that Project 2025 has stated it does not officially speak for the Trump campaign.
International Reactions to Trump’s Potential Return
In Seoul and Tokyo, officials are closely monitoring the potential return of Donald to the Oval Office. The Republican messages of solidarity have been received as a welcome signal, suggesting that Trump’s Asia policy might shift from the hard-nosed approach that previously caused friction with allies from Ottawa to Brussels. Despite the close race between Biden and Donald, South Korean President Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida are facing significant challenges with public opinion at home, raising questions about whether the spirit of recent trilateral cooperation can withstand a change in leadership.
South Korea’s foreign ministry emphasized the necessity and naturalness of the three countries working together, noting that this effort had bipartisan support in the United States, including during Donald’s previous administration. Meanwhile, Japan’s foreign ministry has expressed interest in the US presidential election but refrained from commenting directly on elections in third countries. They highlighted that the alliance between the US and Japan enjoys bipartisan support, indicating a desire for continuity regardless of the US election outcome.
Implications for US-Asia Relations
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the 2024 election, experts suggest that trilateral cooperation between the US, South Korea, and Japan is unlikely to falter. Alexander Gray, a former chief of staff of the White House National Security Council under Donald and now CEO of American Global Strategies, expressed confidence that a second Donald administration would not abandon initiatives started under Joe Biden simply because they were Biden’s projects. This perspective counters a general concern that Trump would dismantle Biden-era policies indiscriminately.
The lack of response from spokespeople for the Biden campaign and the White House leaves many questions unanswered about how the current administration views these developments. However, the bipartisan support for strong ties with South Korea and Japan suggests a foundational stability that could endure potential political changes. As the 2024 election approaches, the international community will be closely watching how these plans and alliances evolve.
