Trump Unleashed: How a Second Term is Supercharging the ‘America First’ Revolution in U.S. Foreign and Security Policy

U.S. foreign and security policy strengthens “America First” after Trump’s re-election

Focus on readjusting alliances and managing North Korean nuclear threats… Anticipation of reorganization of relationships with each country centered on practical interests

Reporter Ji Seung-ju | Entered: 2024/11/07 [08:01]

With Donald Trump winning re-election, foreign and security policies that strengthen ‘America First’ are receiving attention again. The Trump administration is expected to prioritize national interests, minimize the investment of military and economic resources overseas, and reorganize relationships with each country to focus on practicality. In particular, it is expected that there will be changes in the way the ROK-US alliance and the North Korean nuclear issue are handled.

With President Donald Trump winning re-election, the tone of US foreign and security policy is expected to be further strengthened to ‘America First’. The Trump administration puts national interests first and plans to pursue ‘pragmatic diplomacy’ based on its own interests instead of reducing the investment of US military and economic resources overseas. In particular, it is showing its will to reduce the financial burden on the United States while increasing the defense burden on allies through readjustment of military alliances.

In terms of foreign policy, President Trump is reorganizing relationships with each country into a ‘transactional alliance’. In this regard, it is expected to demand an increase in defense cost sharing for allies and pursue its own independent policy, breaking away from the framework of the international order led by the United States. Major allies, especially the ROK-US alliance, may consider reducing US troops stationed in Korea, which could be an important variable in the security situation in Northeast Asia.

According to Samjong KPMG’s analysis, the Trump administration is expected to continue its transactional diplomatic stance toward major regions such as Russia, China, and the Middle East. For example, it is expected to encourage European allies to strengthen their independent defense capabilities while minimizing U.S. intervention in Russia and Ukraine issues. In addition, we plan to continue our hardline trade policy and decoupling policy toward China.

President Trump also predicted a change in Korean Peninsula policy. He plans to manage the North Korean nuclear issue through readjustment of the ROK-US alliance and normal diplomacy rather than a direct US-led response. In particular, by requesting an increase in defense cost sharing, it is expected that the United States will pursue a policy of reducing the financial burden on the United States and simultaneously strengthening the defense obligations of its allies. Accordingly, it is highly likely that South Korea will be asked to increase its defense cost sharing and strengthen its own defense capabilities.

It is also expected that a pragmatic approach will be strengthened in relations with North Korea. President Trump is expected to continue denuclearization negotiations through summit meetings with North Korea, but is expected to emphasize financial responsibility along with expanding South Korea’s role in the process. This is intended to minimize U.S. military intervention in North Korea issues and seek structural changes that allow South Korea to take the lead.

The Trump administration’s foreign and security policy direction is likely to place a burden not only on the ROK-US alliance but also on major allies such as Japan and Europe. In particular, concerns are raised that the US role in the international community will be reduced as the US reorganizes its existing alliance structure. However, the Trump administration is expected to reduce the economic and military burden through these policies and focus more on revitalizing the domestic economy.