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The Conversation
The Conversation
Politics
Sebastian Maslow, Associate Professor, International Relations, University of Tokyo

Faced with new tariffs and a truculent Trump, Japan and South Korea toe a cautious line

Donald Trump United States Japan South Korea China Shinzo Abe Europe NATO

Two months into US President Donald Trump’s second term, the liberal international order is on life support.

Alliances and multilateral institutions are now seen by the United States as burdens. Europe and NATO are framed as bad business, “ripping off” the US. On his so-called “Liberation Day”, Trump also imposed 20% tariffs on all European Union imports.

The Trump administration has been far less critical of the US’ alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. On a visit to Tokyo this week, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described Japan as America’s “indispensable partner” in deterring Chinese aggression.

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