Former U.S. President Donald Trump praises his senior marketing campaign adviser Susie Wiles throughout an election evening occasion on the Palm Seashore Conference Middle in West Palm Seashore, Florida, Nov. 6. gettyimagesbank-Yonhap
Mutual efforts wanted to maintain Korea-US alliance sturdy
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s victory within the Nov. 5 presidential election has stoked fears about the way forward for the South Korea-U.S. alliance, moderately than elevating hopes for it.
Such a troubled response to the U.S. election end result just isn’t a South Korea-specific phenomenon. Different U.S. allies in Asia and Europe are additionally cautious of the U.S. election’s potential fallout on their economies and overseas insurance policies.
Trump’s coverage slogan, “America First,” is a supply of their concern. When he takes workplace in January, he’s extremely prone to push round his nation’s allies — to not point out China, which the Trump marketing campaign recognized as the best menace to the U.S. — to contribute extra, if not sacrifice themselves, to assist the U.S. maximize its pursuits.
Placing America first on the expense of allies’ sacrifice is neither sustainable nor workable. The South Korea-U.S. alliance will stay sturdy solely when the 2 sides search joint beneficial properties.
Luckily, Seoul and Washington want one another greater than ever. The 2 sides want to satisfy their commitments to the alliance to deliver the specified outcomes.
The U.S. president-elect will definitely add strain on Seoul to pay extra for the U.S. troops stationed within the nation. The survival of the South Korea-U.S. defense-cost sharing deal, concluded in October to extend South Korea’s contribution by 8.3 % to $1.47 billion within the first yr, stays unsure. Through the marketing campaign rally, Trump referred to as for a hike practically 9 instances greater, suggesting $10 billion as an applicable quantity to maintain U.S. forces in South Korea.
To comprehend “America First,” Trump will even add strain on South Korea to hold extra of the burden to maintain the Indo-Pacific area protected, provided that burden-sharing is a central a part of his protection technique. A nightmare state of affairs will unfold if the U.S. refuses to defend Taiwan had been its sovereignty to be challenged by China. If this occurs, Seoul shall be requested to decide on between Washington and Beijing. Even throughout peacetime, Seoul may face strain to make clear its stance on Taiwan as Trump hinted at slicing U.S. protection prices for Taiwan.
In accordance with Venture 2025, a controversial plan drafted by the Heritage Basis to overtake the U.S. authorities to advertise a conservative agenda, the U.S. will make China’s subordination of Taiwan or different U.S. allies in Asia tougher, however ought to do that “at a stage of price and threat that People are keen to bear.” Trump distanced himself from Venture 2025, however his marketing campaign pledges that had been summarized in Agenda 47 share lots with the plan.
The Yoon Suk Yeol authorities ought to chart a post-U.S. election technique based mostly on versatile pondering and knowledge.
Yoon wants to sit down down together with his aides within the presidential workplace in addition to Cupboard ministers to navigate all potential choices that may assist Seoul alter to the forthcoming Trump administration easily.
Amongst others, the Yoon authorities should discover through which areas the 2 sides can cooperate to provide mutually useful outcomes. Actually, there are areas with a lot room for bilateral cooperation with the U.S. to create a win-win state of affairs. Shipbuilding and maritime protection as an illustration present sturdy potential. The autumn of the shipbuilding business has emerged as a grave safety menace to the U.S. as China steps up its maritime ambitions. China his risen to the world’s high shipbuilding and transport nation, having 230 instances extra shipbuilding capability than the U.S. The U.S. is seeking to South Korea as a accomplice to assist rebuild its shipbuilding business. U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro’s journeys to South Korea and Japan in February and March got here towards this backdrop.
The alliance works when all concerned sides perceive they want one another. However it should fail when both aspect tries to benefit from the others for its personal sake.
Trump 2.0 must be an period the place Seoul and Washington rediscover their counterparts and try to hunt mutual beneficial properties. Trump’s “America First” must be carried out in a way that may additionally profit South Korea.
