Tokyo’s anxieties surrounding a second Donald Trump presidency have materialized, with the frist year of his renewed term exceeding even the most pessimistic expectations. Unlike his initial period in office (2017-2021),President Trump is now operating with fewer constraints,leading to assertive demands on international alliances and a reshaping of global dynamics.
The US-Japan relationship is facing unprecedented strain. Threats of escalating tariffs, coupled with insistent calls for Japan to substantially increase its defense expenditure and assume greater security responsibilities, are creating friction. Furthermore, concerns are mounting over the White House’s perceived disregard for established legal norms and its increasingly conciliatory stance towards China.
These developments are fostering a crisis of confidence within the alliance. Experts suggest that President Trump’s policies are actively undermining the foundations of the liberal international order, potentially signaling a pivotal shift in global power structures. The long-term implications for regional stability and the future of the US-Japan partnership remain uncertain, prompting a reassessment of strategic priorities in Tokyo.