Donald Trump betrays one more ally of US in Asia, India’s friend is in danger, China to become…?
New Delhi: It seems that Donald Trump’s administration has changed America’s foreign policy. Japan, Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Ukraine, and India, every country that previous American administrations have worked hard to make an ally, Donald Trump has strained the relations. In his nearly four months of administration, Donald Trump has not touched America’s enemies, but he has not missed an opportunity to trouble friends. Now, The Washington Post has claimed that the Trump administration has decided to withdraw thousands of its soldiers from South Korea. Trump’s decision could open the door to North Korean aggression against South Korea.
According to the report by The Washington Post, U.S. officials have indicated that the Trump administration is considering bringing back thousands of its troops stationed in South Korea, raising deep concerns among America’s allies in Asia. The Washington Post stated that the Pentagon is considering recalling around 4,500 troops.
Officials stated that the Pentagon’s proposal has not yet reached the President’s desk, but discussions are ongoing intensely. Meanwhile, a Pentagon spokesperson did not dismiss this report and stated that ‘there is currently no announcement to be made on this policy.’ While the spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, Pete Nguyen, did not address the issue of troop withdrawal, he mentioned that Donald Trump is committed to the ‘complete denuclearization’ of North Korea. The South Korean Ministry of Defense has refused to comment. Donald Trump has been considering changing the presence of American troops in South Korea since his first term, where about 28,500 American soldiers are deployed.
Last month, top commanders overseeing the U.S. military in Asia warned about the reduction of troops from America to South Korea. The soldiers stated that this reduction would jeopardize their capacity against North Korea and also affect their capability in potential conflicts against China and Russia in Northeast Asia. According to the post, U.S. Army Commander in Korea, General Javier Brunson, said in the American Parliament that “reducing the number of soldiers will make the situation quite difficult.”
According to a report by Reuters, South Korea’s Defense Ministry has stated that there have been no discussions about the withdrawal of troops with the United States at this time. They have expressed a commitment to maintaining a strong joint defense posture with the U.S., which serves as a deterrent against North Korea.
However, the withdrawal of troops could have serious implications for South Korea’s security, raising concerns among investors and potentially leading to economic instability. Furthermore, this move could increase China’s influence and prompt South Korea to consider alternative security options. There is a strong sentiment among the American public to strengthen security ties with South Korea. Recent surveys indicate that most Americans support the long-term maintenance of U.S. military bases in South Korea and view the withdrawal of troops as a threat to regional security.
In addition, the withdrawal of the South Korean army could create a state of concern among America’s allies in the Indo-Pacific. South Korea, along with Japan and the Philippines, relies on close coordination with the U.S. military to defend itself and to demonstrate its power in this increasingly contested region. Furthermore, Taiwan may also find itself in danger. Trump’s decision could be interpreted by the allies in a negative light and raise serious trust issues between Washington and its allies.
It is very much possible that if Pentagon reduces its military presence in the region, then China could invade Taiwan.
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