According to informed sources, the advisory team of former U.S. President Trump reassured officials in Japan and South Korea that the Republican presidential candidate would continue efforts to deepen trilateral relations with the Biden administration, aimed at countering the threats from China and North Korea.
In recent weeks, Trump’s policy advisers have conveyed a message to officials in Seoul and Tokyo that if Trump is re-elected, he will continue to support the improvement of the once strained relationship between Japan and South Korea and advance trilateral military, economic, and diplomatic cooperation to ease global tensions, as reported by Reuters on Friday.
The Republican Party and officials from both Asian countries disclosed the content of these discussions to Reuters, with several officials directly involved in these conversations.
The Trump advisory team: Japan and South Korea are key allies of the U.S.
Reportedly, Trump’s policy advisers have been trying to convince Washington’s closest Asian allies – Japan and South Korea – to believe that Trump, if re-elected, would adopt a more cooperative and supportive approach towards allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
The U.S. faces escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, including the situation in Taiwan and the South China Sea, China and Russia forging new partnerships, and Russian President Putin’s overtures to North Korea.
Fred Fleitz, the former Chief of Staff of the National Security Council under the Trump administration and a consultant for the Center for Security Policy, visited Japan this month and met with Japanese officials, including National Security Adviser Takeo Akiba.
“I assured them that the alliance will remain strong, and Trump recognizes that we must work closely with allies to defend their interests,” Fleitz stated.
AFPI emphasized that they operate independently of Trump’s campaign team, while Trump’s campaign team insists that only policies articulated by the candidate himself are valid.
When asked about these assurances, senior adviser to Trump’s campaign team, Chris LaCivita, stated, “No one is authorized to speak on behalf of President Donald Trump and make commitments with foreign governments.” The policy section on Trump’s campaign website does not address this issue.
Fleitz clarified that he is not speaking on behalf of Trump but based his assessment and judgment on frequent interactions and understanding of Trump. He expressed that if Trump is re-elected, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea are expected to join forces against China and North Korea.
Insiders revealed that top officials from Japan and South Korea have already held or planned dozens of meetings with conservative think tanks. These think tanks include AFPI, the Heritage Foundation, and the Hudson Institute, reportedly preparing for Trump’s 2025 policy initiatives.
The conservative think tank alliance has developed a detailed policy blueprint for Trump’s second term in 2025, with South Korea and Japan described as “key allies” in military, economic, diplomatic, and technological fields. The plan also calls for South Korea to “take the lead in conventional defense against North Korea.”
The conservative think tank alliance emphasized that their views do not represent Trump’s campaign team.
Continuing Biden Administration Policies and Deepening Trilateral Cooperation
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have overcome decades of mutual suspicions and hostilities – efforts spearheaded by the Biden administration – ultimately leading to the trilateral summit held at Camp David last August. The summit aimed to enhance deterrence against China, address the nuclear threats from North Korea, and counter the growing military ties between North Korea and Russia. The leaders of the three countries have unanimously agreed to deepen military and economic cooperation and hold annual meetings.
The first U.S.-Japan-South Korea Industry Ministers’ Meeting took place in Washington D.C. on Wednesday (June 26). The meeting focused on collaboration in economic security, such as building more resilient supply chains, including semiconductors and critical minerals.
Trump is believed to continue the policies of the Biden administration if re-elected and further deepen trilateral cooperation.
Reuters quoted Republican Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, saying, “I think President Trump would also agree with my view that the stronger the economic ties among the three countries, the stronger the bonds will be.”
Hagerty served as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan during the Trump administration and still maintains contacts with governments in Asian countries. Some speculate that he may continue to hold a key position during Trump’s potential second term.