The theme of allies who coughed a “fair” participation for security He has long been at Trump’s radar | Photo credit: brochure
Asian allies for a long time as Japan were not saved on the day of release of April 2 Axle. It threatened with 24 percent of American imports in addition to the baseline of 10 percent and 25 percent in cars, car pieces, aluminum and steel. The saving grace was the 90 -day grace period of the president of the United States, Donald Trump; A high -level delegation soon entered the business with Washington marking the framework for an agreement.
As soon as Trump matters that Japan’s global trade for fiscal year 2024 is in the deficit of approximately $ 40 billion. What matters is that Tokyo’s surplus with the US is $ 63 billion. It is pointed out that in March 2025, Japanese exports to the United States increased 3 percent and the rest of Asia less China also increased 5.5 percent.
But in this set of rates, not only cars and electronics are on the table, but also rice, an article or cultural value for Japan. Some feel that Tokyo may surprise when importing more American rice, since it also faces a national shortage that has affected prices. Tokyo’s failure to negotiate an integral package could have an impact of counting on its economy. A calculation is that Trump rates can cost 0.8 percent or Japanese economic growth.
Security sword
But Nissan and Toyota are not the whole problem for Trump. Collecting on the head of the rate is the safety spending sword with which the current dispensation has threatened the allies. The concept that allies obtain a free trip in defense is not Trump’s exclusive reserve, their predecessors have launched the same Googly but with a varied intensity. The only difference is that rhetoric has become more acute and strident since the time of the 2024 campaign.
From the moment of the 1952 Mutual Security Treaty and its Subignal Review in 1961, Japan has been the cornerstone of US security and strategic policy in Asia. There are about 85 American military facilities in Japan with that country that is the host of more American service personnel than in any other country.
Content point
The real cost of this “load exchange” is a content point. In an existing agreement signed with the Biden administration, it was agreed that Japan would provide a Yen 1,0551 billion (more than $ 8 billion) from fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2026. Recent Trump announced the Japanese visitors, the snow, the Thaang rate, the Thaang rate, is “too small.” Perhaps feeling something, Defense officials in Tokyo immediately said that the costs shared in the defense should not be combined with tariff negotiations.
The problem of allies who coughed a “fair” participation for security has long been in Trump’s radar, if there are, strategic experts have maintained that a distinction should be the quality, quantity and depth of the commitments; It is not a mechanical count of assets from the bottom of the ocean to the outer space.
In the current scheme of things, the contributions would have to go beyond counting on the aircraft carriers, frigates, submarines and murderous satellites to include high -tech and electronic war donuts.
But surely there will be a persistent suspicion or a link between tariffs and improved security spending. The potential is always there to make an administration and the demand for higher disbursements for American security and strategic Guaranthesis.
Otherwise, it could involve the threat or higher rates in exports. Anyway, the rear is clear: the ally ends up writing the check.
The writer is a senior journalist who has reported Washington DC in North America and the UN.
Posted on April 23, 2025
