Not content to disrupt our deepest and most trusted alliances in Europe, Donald Trump turned his wrecking ball diplomacy toward our closest ally in Asia.
In yet another rambling hour-long speech, this time in Iowa, Donald Trump took a few moments to express his displeasure with our current wonderful relationship with Japan.
He said:
“You know we have a treaty with Japan, where if Japan is attacked, we have to use the full force and might of the United States. If we’re attacked, Japan doesn’t have to do anything. They can sit home and watch Sony television, OK?”
Apparently Trump was absent the day they taught history in history class.
The reason why Japan doesn’t have a large military capable of force projection is because these were the terms agreed to between the United States and Japan at the end of the Allied occupation after World War II.
According to a piece in RedState, Trump added that the “US protects Japan, South Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia and other nations, and ‘they don’t pay anything near what it costs. They have to pay. Because this isn’t 40 years ago.'”
The idea of tearing down great international relationships has shaped up to be a central tenet of Trump’s foreign policy. Just a few weeks ago, Trump said of NATO in an interview with the New York Times:
“If we cannot be properly reimbursed for the tremendous cost of our military protecting other countries, and in many cases the countries I’m talking about are extremely rich. Then if we cannot make a deal, which I believe we will be able to, and which I would prefer being able to, but if we cannot make a deal, I would like you to say, I would prefer being able to, some people, the one thing they took out of your last story, you know, some people, the fools and the haters, they said, “Oh, Trump doesn’t want to protect you.” I would prefer that we be able to continue, but if we are not going to be reasonably reimbursed for the tremendous cost of protecting these massive nations with tremendous wealth.”
He continued:
“With massive wealth. Massive wealth. We’re talking about countries that are doing very well. Then yes, I would be absolutely prepared to tell those countries, ‘Congratulations, you will be defending yourself.'”
Trump now has managed to cast doubt over NATO and over Japan, so one can only guess what relationship is next. Look out Canada!
Here’s a video of Trump talking to Fox “News” about NATO:
Image is a YouTube screengrab.
