Bolton: "Including financial transactions in alliances is Trump's method... Trust must be the foundation"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] John Bolton, former U.S. National Security Council (NSC) advisor, who recently published a memoir strongly criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump, stated that "bringing financial transactions into alliance relationships is Trump's method," and criticized, "Diplomatic policy should be based on trust with allied countries, not financial issues."

On the 2nd, Asahi Shimbun reported from Washington DC that it conducted a video interview with former advisor Bolton on the 30th of last month, conveying these remarks. Bolton's comments came while explaining the fact that President Trump demanded an annual increase of $8 billion from Japan for the U.S. Forces Japan security costs during his visit to Japan in July last year, as detailed in his memoir published on the 23rd of last month.

In the interview, Bolton said, "The amount was calculated by the Department of Defense based on various factors. It was an attempt to consider many elements that were not previously included as part of the costs," adding, "The burden amount will be discussed and decided between the U.S. and Japan." Asahi explained that specific details were not disclosed.

Regarding this, Bolton criticized, "Trump's method, which views alliances not based on politics and values but as financial transactions, has become concrete," and pointed out, "It fundamentally changed the way the U.S. understands its alliances." Asahi also reported that Bolton revealed Trump often used expressions like 'the U.S. is protecting Japan' rather than defining the alliance as a mutual relationship.

The agreement between Japan and the U.S. concerning the U.S. Forces Japan is set to expire at the end of this year, and new negotiations are expected to begin soon. Bolton warned that although there might be a lower amount acceptable to President Trump, his ideas must be taken seriously; otherwise, the alliance itself could be at risk.

Bolton also stated, "Discussions about costs must not only be about fairness of burden but also connected to the strength of the alliance," and added, "Even if most Americans want allied countries to bear more costs, transactional methods that treat U.S. troops like mercenaries must be rejected."

Furthermore, Bolton said, "Every political leader makes security or domestic judgments considering politics. What is different about Trump is that his reelection takes precedence over everything," and continued, "There is no strategic creed or policy perspective as we usually think; it is all because of Trump. Therefore, there are concerns about what might happen in a second term if he is reelected."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.