[The Editors' Verdict] The Uncomfortable Truth Behind July 4th, U.S. Independence Day

American Voters Anxious Over "Threats to Democracy"
Why South Korea Must Prepare for a Possible Trump Era

July 4th is Independence Day, the day the United States won freedom and independence. On this day, Americans exchange "Happy 4th" greetings with people they meet and enjoy spectacular parades and fireworks festivals. It is an important day not only because the United States fought against Britain to gain freedom and independence and became an independent nation, but also because it marks the beginning of the democracy system, which is a symbol of America.

However, this year Americans are spending Independence Day filled with concerns about the "threat to democracy." This is because the former and current presidents, who will face off in the upcoming November U.S. presidential election, are accusing each other of being threats to democracy.

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate and former president, openly criticized President Joe Biden as a "threat to democracy" during the first U.S. presidential TV debate. Biden was widely regarded as having suffered a defeat in last week's TV debate. On the other hand, Biden and the Democratic Party are also focusing on emphasizing the message that protecting democracy is a core value and that Trump's return to power would pose an existential threat to democracy.

At a White House press conference on the 1st of this month, President Biden repeatedly pointed out that former President Trump, who attacked democracy in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot by Republican supporters, is unfit for public office. Biden said, "The American people have to decide whether to entrust Trump with the presidency once again, and I oppose it out of fear for democracy. The American people should feel the same."

From the perspective of Americans who regard the protection of democracy as the most important value, it means that whoever becomes the next president, Biden or Trump, the risk of a threat to democracy must be borne.

While U.S. voters are confused ahead of the worst "unpopular presidential election" in history, China, which is competing with the U.S. for hegemony, cannot help but be pleased with this situation. Hu Xijin, former editor of the Global Times, who was known as the "rough mouth of the Chinese Communist Party" for his harsh criticism of the U.S., belittled the first Biden-Trump TV debate by saying, "You can just enjoy the U.S. presidential election like entertainment," and "No matter who wins, the impact on China is not significant."

From China's perspective, with a population of over 1.4 billion?more than four times that of the U.S.?a huge consumer market they form, the world's second-largest economy, and rapidly growing technological capabilities supported by the government, it is understandable that they would enjoy this farce where the candidates stab each other with the sharp weapon of "threats to democracy," regardless of who becomes the next president.

However, the situation is different for South Korea. It is not in a position to just watch as President Biden, who is under pressure to resign after the presidential TV debate, becomes a mere topic of conversation at American voters' drinking parties during the Independence Day holiday, further narrowing his standing. Since former President Trump mentioned the possibility of withdrawing U.S. troops from South Korea during his tenure and tried to raise South Korea's defense cost-sharing for U.S. forces by more than five times, it has become urgent to prepare alternatives.

It is necessary to prepare countermeasures against the possibility that Trump, who strongly advocates "America First" and protectionism, may unleash economic and trade policies unfavorable to South Korea's economy, which has just overcome the COVID-19 crisis and is now relieved by a trade surplus. In the past, whenever public opinion in the U.S. rose in favor of protecting domestic industries, the U.S. strengthened various trade sanctions, including pushing for renegotiations of free trade agreements (FTAs). Preparation for the upcoming Trump era is necessary.