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US President Donald Trump responds to reporters’ questions concerning Hurricane Dorian at the White House on Sept. 4. (EPA/Yonhap News)
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Remarks once again reiterate US president’s focus on cost instead of partnerships
On Sept. 4, US President Donald Trump said that the US is spending a lot of money on behalf of South Korea and Japan while observing that “a lot of people throughout the world [. . .] have never appreciated it.” The remarks are yet another reminder that Trump only regards the US’ alliances in terms of cost.
When Trump was asked by reporters during an event at the White House on Sept. 4 how the US would respond to potential friction with China in the South China Sea, Trump said he didn’t “want to talk about that” and changed the subject to American allies.
“We have a lot of very strong allies, and we’re doing a lot of allies very big favors by even being over there. We’re spending a lot of money to help Japan. We’re spending a lot of money to help South Korea [and] the Philippines,” he said.
“We spend a lot of money to help a lot of people. And in many cases, in some cases [. . .] these people don’t do so much for us. We’re helping a lot of people throughout the world that have never appreciated it. We’ve never had a leader that demanded that they appreciate it. I’m saying you have to appreciate it,” the US president added.
Such remarks show that Trump thinks that American allies should “pay up” for the protection they receive from the US, while disregarding the fact that US garrisons around the world serve American interests and that its allies also provide strategic benefits and utility.
Trump remarked once again on Wednesday that the US doesn’t seek regime change in North Korea or Iran. “Iran can be a great country, and North Korea can be a great country. [. . .] We’re not looking for regime change,” Trump said, while adding that there’s “a lot of talking going on right now” that could lead to “some very important deals.” At the same time, Trump didn’t specify who was talking or what they were talking about.
When Trump was asked in May 2018 whether the US would provide regime security to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Trump said that the US would be glad to do so and that Kim would be protected.
By Hwang Joon-bum, Washington correspondent
Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
