Expert predicts Trump's foreign policy

According to RIA Novosti on January 20, Professor Takao Takahara of Meiji Gakuin University in Japan, who participates in research in the field of peacekeeping and protection and international politics, commented that after taking office, new US President Donald Trump will carry out foreign policy in the old way.

Professor Takahara said that the new administration coming to power in the US will impact the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East; the changes will also affect Japan's foreign policy.

“The Trump administration’s rise to power will certainly have an impact on the security situation in the Pacific region and around the China and Taiwan issues. What is worrying is that Trump has very little power to skillfully implement old-fashioned foreign policy. For the United States to demonstrate its diplomatic power, he needs talented diplomats, but Trump’s current team is more introverted than extroverted – people who are still committed to the worldview of the times,” Professor Takahara told RIA Novosti.

In addition, this scientist believes that the trend of weakening America's superpower status while maintaining its military strength is fraught with great risks on the world stage.

“America, apart from its military power, is on the decline as a superpower. Using this military power while focusing on one country could lead to a chain of military actions that would make them lose control. Especially politically in the Middle East. If in his first term, Mr. Trump would only side with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, now the possibility of using nuclear weapons cannot be ruled out,” Professor Takahara said.

According to this professor, changes from Washington will also affect Japan's foreign policy, as it largely depends on the US's path.

“Japan’s foreign and defense policies are largely determined by the United States, so they cannot help but change after the new administration takes office. The main problem with Trump is that his actions are unpredictable and subject to change. On the other hand, this will also be a positive key, as it does not depend on the past. The trend in recent years has been to integrate Japan’s defense power into the US military system. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has pushed for this without paying attention to people’s lives. I believe that things will get better if the change in the US administration is an opportunity for Japan to change from militarization to demilitarization,” said Professor Takahara.