Japan Institute for National Fundamentals
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Speaking out

Yoichi Shimada

【#389】Where Has Leader of Free World Gone?

Yoichi Shimada ／ 2016.07.27 (Wed)


July 25, 2016

　　　　　Ronald Reagan became the first U.S. presidential candidate to adopt the slogan “Make America Great Again” in 1980. Although liberals had criticized Reagan as short-sighted and dangerous, he might now have been appreciated as a politician with philosophy and a will qualified for the leader of the free world.
　　　　　However, Donald Trump who has adopted the same slogan made a speech for accepting the Republican nomination for president, including no word indicating him as the leader of the free world. Trump reiterated restoring “law and order” only for domestic matters, failing to discuss international law and order.

Trump lacking international perspective
　　　　　Trump strongly condemned Chinese economic acts of injustice such as “China’s outrageous theft of intellectual property.” If he thoroughly fights against China in this regard, it will be meaningful. However, he made no mention of China’s ignorance of law and order in the South China Sea that has attracted global attention.
　　　　　Trump has rejected the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement and other multilateral trade pacts as those forcing the United States to make multiple concessions and vowed to pursue bilateral negotiations to fight against individual countries and pursue “America First.” I would be happy if the attitude does not lead to a U.S.-China bilateral agreement that secures the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea only for the U.S. ships.
　　　　　Trump’s speech included no word criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggressive expansion policy. He failed to discuss North Korea whose dictator was subjected to sanctions under the North Korea Sanctions Enhancement Act passed in February at the initiative of the Republican Party. The speech exceeding one hour failed to include the word of “human rights.” He used the word of “freedom” only when pledging “to never sign any trade agreement that hurts our workers or that diminishes our freedom and independence.”
　　　　　The Trump speech indicates a philosophy that he would fight against any acts making light of the United States but remain indifferent as long as the United States or Americans are not directly hurt. The meaning of “great” in Reagan’s slogan was clear. However, at least foreigners don’t understand what Trump means by the word.

Block “China First”
　　　　　“The countries that we protect, at a massive loss, will be asked to pay their fair share,” Trump reiterated in the speech. It is natural for allies to pay a fair share. However, his argument is regrettably limited to the problem of money. If he philosophically urges that allies that expect the United States to exercise its collective self-defense right for them be ready to do so for the United States, he may be qualified as the leader of the free world.
　　　　　Asked if Japan is qualified to criticize Trump, I may have to give a negative answer at present. If the United States as the largest power in the free world and Japan as the second largest lack a will to restore law and order in the international community, Asia may be guided into an order of “China First.” To block such situation, Japan and the United States will have to cooperate more than ever.

Yoichi Shimada is Planning Committee Member, Japan Institute for National Fundamentals, and Professor at Fukui Prefectural University.