WSJ "Trump's side held 160 contacts with foreign governments since November last year"
With the likelihood of former President Donald Trump's victory increasing in the upcoming U.S. presidential election this November, governments around the world have reportedly begun behind-the-scenes efforts to expand contact with Trump's camp, the U.S. financial daily The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 8th (local time). Ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit held this week in Washington D.C., the newspaper assessed that "global leaders are flocking to D.C., but their attention is focused on the Republican presidential candidate."
On the same day, WSJ cited Keith Kellogg, former White House National Security Council (NSC) Chief of Staff under the Trump administration and head of the American Security Center at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), reporting that Trump's camp has had more than 160 contacts with foreign government officials since last November. Foreign government figures who have reached out to Trump's camp include ambassadors, foreign ministers, and defense ministers from various countries.
Kellogg, head of the American Security Center, conveyed the atmosphere by saying, "We talk to all of them," adding, "Simply put, they are hedging their political bets."
It is reported that governments worldwide are increasing preemptive contacts in preparation for the possibility of 'Trump 2.0.' Especially after President Joe Biden's poor performance in the first presidential debate held on the 27th of last month, which heightened concerns about his age and cognitive abilities, the world is closely watching the potential realization of Trump 2.0.
World leaders have already been making efforts to build relationships with former President Trump or his close associates. As the Russia-Ukraine war prolongs, European countries are focusing on narrowing differences with Trump, who is skeptical of NATO. Previously, Trump had raised issues over defense cost-sharing and even threatened to withdraw from NATO, raising concerns that U.S. military support for Ukraine could be halted.
Polish President Andrzej Duda held a dinner meeting with former President Trump at Trump Tower in New York last April for two hours and 30 minutes. President Duda told WSJ that he discussed the strategic importance of Ukraine with Trump but did not disclose specific details.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz invited lawmakers who support former President Trump to dinners during his visits to Washington D.C. in January and the Munich Security Conference in February. Wolfgang Schmidt, chief of staff to Chancellor Scholz, is reported to have maintained official diplomatic relations with the Biden administration while quietly building networks by meeting officials from the Trump administration era, Trump supporters, donors, and lawmakers.
It is not only NATO countries. As significant changes in trade and foreign policy are expected if former President Trump returns to power, governments worldwide are preparing for a second Trump term.
Japan is aligning itself with Trump's camp to ensure that the former president, who announced a universal 10% tariff on all countries worldwide, excludes tariff increases on Japanese imports and strengthens the U.S.-Japan alliance. To this end, Taro Aso, the second-in-command of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, met with former President Trump at Trump Tower last April.
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also met with former President Trump in May. There is speculation that if the center-right Liberal Party wins the next Australian election, Morrison could become the next U.S. ambassador to Australia.
WSJ reported, "According to our poll, President Joe Biden's approval rating has dropped after the disastrous debate," adding, "Foreign government officials are building relationships with former President Trump and his close associates to influence future trade and national security issues in the event of Trump's return to power."
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