Donald Trump: Fear Not the New POTUS

[What follows is my own translation of the article I wrote for Japan's daily newspaper, Sankei, 15 January 2025, published on its op-ed page 'Seiron,' which means 'Sound Reasoning.']

Donald Trump is on the brink of his second inauguration as President of the United States. In both domestic and international media, there’s an unmistakable trend: commentary rarely begins without a jab at Trump—be it outright ridicule or a thinly veiled mockery between the lines.

The underlying message is clear: “Here we go again—a man wholly unfit for the job is taking the reins of the world’s most powerful office. What a catastrophe.”

Admitting that you think Trump is doing a good job? That’s a one-way ticket to intellectual exile in many circles.

This isn’t a new phenomenon. The Japanese media’s treatment of the late Prime Minister Abe Shinzō bore a striking resemblance. It’s a scene that feels all too familiar, so much so that Abe himself used it as a talking point when deepening his bond with Trump. The two leaders found camaraderie in their shared experience of biased coverage.

This instinct to deride Trump extends beyond his personality to his policies. Critics deride him as a wrecking ball to free trade, saying, “He’s obsessed with tariffs, constantly using them to bully trade partners. Has the U.S. fallen this far?”

Trump makes no secret of his disdain for intellectual elitism and often presents himself as an anti-intellectual. However, the tendency of so-called intellectuals and media figures to dismiss him as inherently unqualified reeks of arrogance and bias. It’s neither fair nor productive.

Trump’s grip on the Republican Party is so firm that it’s often dubbed the “Trump Party.” Are we to believe, then, that the Republican lawmakers who represent the breadth of the nation are gullible fools, duped by a so-called incompetent leader? More likely, these lawmakers see value in Trump’s worldview—perhaps even setting aside personal feelings to align with his vision. That’s why they support him.

To dismiss Trump outright is to ignore the millions of Americans who stand behind him. More importantly, it prevents any real understanding of the man himself or his perspective.

A President with a New Resolve

Trying to understand how Trump views America and the world isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it’s a necessity for leaders in Japan and Europe. They aren’t commentators—they’re stakeholders, directly engaging with the U.S. to protect their nations’ interests.

This time, Trump’s resolve is at another level. His first win may have been a surprise even to himself, but this second term is different. It’s the result of calculated strategy, determination, and, as some would say, sheer survival. Having overcome even an assassination attempt, Trump is unlikely to squander this next four years. He likely sees it as a gift, almost divine in nature.

If Trump views this term as sacred time, how will he use it? His priority will undoubtedly be the people who felt left behind in the quest for greatness: those who lost manufacturing jobs, missed out on Wall Street’s gains, fell into opioid addiction, and now feel increasingly marginalised by a growing immigrant population.

Trump sees Canada and Mexico as the sources of illegal drugs and undocumented immigrants, justifying his imposition of high tariffs on both countries. His reasoning is straightforward: America must remain uniquely strong and great. The biggest threats to that are drugs and illegal immigration. Therefore, Canada and Mexico, which allow these problems to flow unchecked, deserve the harshest tariffs.

Yes, tariffs can hurt the economy. But Trump, who prides himself on his business acumen, knows this. It seems clear that he prioritises addressing America’s deeper problems over temporary economic fluctuations.

A Vision for Japan and the World

Take China, for instance. Instead of reflexively criticising Trump’s tariffs, consider them from his perspective. If China’s production capacity exceeds its domestic demand while the U.S. faces the opposite problem, blocking Chinese goods from the U.S. market could help revive American industries—provided the policy is sustained long enough.

The goal is to reinvigorate U.S. manufacturing and create high-quality jobs. It’s a strategy aimed at lifting the middle class, rooted in the same principles behind Trump’s policies on Canada and Mexico.

China’s economic rise once mirrored Japan’s, but the similarities end there. While Japan sought economic growth within the existing system, China uses its wealth to challenge U.S. military dominance and push American influence out of the Indo-Pacific. It has also been systematically stealing U.S. intellectual property. Trump believes it’s time to make China pay for these actions, and many in Japan would likely agree.

Experts aligned with Trump, like Robert Lighthizer, view Japan relatively favourably. Japan has weathered countless economic shocks from the U.S. and proven its resilience. Among all nations, Japan may be best equipped to withstand Trump’s trade policies. There’s no need for Japan to adopt a defensive stance. Instead, it should proactively seek opportunities for collaboration with the U.S.

If Trump’s policies succeed in making America “great again,” it will benefit Japan and the world. That’s the bottom line—one that should remain steadfast.