Trump: "Resolving Distant Conflicts Is Not the US Military's Duty"...Suggests US Troop Reduction at West Point (Summary)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] On the 13th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a commencement speech at the West Point U.S. Military Academy graduation ceremony, stating, "It is not the duty of U.S. forces to resolve conflicts occurring in distant countries," and declaring, "We will end the era of endless wars," drawing attention with remarks suggesting a reduction of U.S. troops stationed overseas.

According to foreign media such as CNN, President Trump attended the West Point graduation ceremony located in New York State and said in his speech, "We are restoring the fundamental principle that the duty of the U.S. military is not to rebuild other countries but to strongly protect our nation from external enemies," adding, "We are ending the era of endless wars." He further stated, "It is not the obligation of U.S. forces to resolve long-standing conflicts in faraway countries that many have never even heard of."

He reiterated, "We are not the world's police." President Trump mentioned that the duty of the U.S. military is to protect America's essential interests, not to fight in endless wars on distant lands. These remarks align with the America First policy and isolationism he advocates, including reducing U.S. troops stationed overseas, which were part of his presidential campaign promises.

In particular, following reports that President Trump has initiated plans to reduce U.S. troops in Germany due to dissatisfaction with defense cost issues, and former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell mentioning the possibility of reducing overseas U.S. troops including those in South Korea, concerns have arisen that President Trump might also use the reduction of U.S. troops in South Korea as a bargaining chip in defense cost negotiations during the election campaign, drawing significant attention.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump praised active efforts to assist active-duty soldiers, National Guard, and reservists in fighting "this invisible enemy," and defined COVID-19 as "a new virus that came to our country from a distant land called China," repeatedly raising the issue of China's responsibility.

In his speech, President Trump also boasted, "My administration has embarked on a massive rebuilding of the U.S. military to ensure the best equipment and technology," stating, "After years of severe budget cuts and the military being completely exhausted by endless wars, we have invested over $2 trillion in what is undoubtedly the most powerful fighting force on Earth." He showcased military strength by saying, "We are building new warships, bombers, fighters, helicopters, new tanks, military satellites, rockets and missiles, and hypersonic missiles that are 17 times faster than the fastest missiles in the world and can hit targets 1,000 miles away." He also cited the establishment of the Space Force as an achievement.

He added, "The brutal ISIS (Islamic State extremist armed group) caliphate region has been 100% destroyed under the Trump administration, its barbaric leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed, and Qasem Soleimani, the world's number one terrorist, was also killed," praising these accomplishments.