Briana Brady ‘21
Staff Writer
If you’ve been following the news, amidst everything else, you’ve most likely come across something having to do with Trump’s notorious and highly anticipated visit to Asia.
You might’ve heard of Trump’s request for foods that pertain to his picky and limited diet. Perhaps you’ve come across the infamous image of Trump dumping not just some, but all of the koi fish food into the koi pond below as he grins and stands next to the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe.
Or, maybe, you came across news of Trump & Abe signing white ball caps that read, “Donald and Shinzo: Make Alliance Even Greater,” (yes, seriously) resembling the MAGA hats we’re all too familiar with.
On a more serious note, though, Trump talked aggressively, and ignorantly, on trade issues while in Japan.
The Washington Post reported that Trump had told a group of business leaders, “For the last many decades, Japan has been winning, you do know that. We want fair and open trade, but right now our trade with Japan is not fair, and it’s not open. But I know it will be, soon. We want free and reciprocal trade, but right now our trade with Japan is not free and it’s not reciprocal, and I know it will be.”
In contrary he did not seem to want to speak the reciprocations of the current American trade policy regarding China.
Further, Trump continued non-stop dangerous dialogue with North Korea during the first couple days of his 12-day trip. NPR reported that Trump had said that “The era of strategic patience is over,” regarding North Korea’s behavior towards the U.S. and its allies.
According to the Post, Trump is reportedly considering naming North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, yet he did not refrain from calling the people of North Korea “great people … They’re industrious, they’re warm, much warmer than the world really knows and understands.”
Trump’s rhetoric is unpredictable, dangerous and benighted and could get the entire country in serious trouble.
Throughout interviews with the press, Trump made it obvious that he wants to be seen as powerful and worthy of all praise.
He constantly commented on his own outfit and made sure to confirm and correct the press of his elevated stature as well as the United States, and according to NPR, said that the Japanese economy was doing well in general, although he “[doesn’t] know if it’s as good as [the United States’] … [and] … We’re going to try to keep it that way. And [Japan will be] be second.”
Throughout the rest of his trip, which will have finished by the time of publication, it will be interesting to follow not only Trump’s rhetoric, but also his inability to pinpoint specific points of policy and civilly discuss issues of general diplomacy amongst Asian countries. He is increasingly becoming an easier target whom other countries’ leaders can outsmart and manipulate him simply by feeding on his ever-growing ego.
Just past the one-year anniversary of the 2016 election, there’s no doubt we’ve moved and continue to move miles backward, but the everlasting question is: Just how far will he go?
