Instability grips US allies amid Trump's looming presidency: Axios
3 Min Read
With governments collapsing and political tensions boiling over, the immediate priority for many is resolving their own crises.
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South Korean protesters wearing masks of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, hold a banner during a rally against their government's plans to supply weapons to Ukraine, in front of the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. The signs read "Weapon Request." (AP)
Key US partners, from South Korea to Germany, are grappling with significant challenges, including collapsing governments, sluggish economies, and heightened security uncertainties—all before Trump's unpredictable leadership begins reshaping global dynamics, Axios reported on Friday.
In South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol narrowly survived an impeachment vote following his shocking declaration of martial law, a move that has left the country deeply divided and politically unstable.
Meanwhile, in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is facing dismal prospects as snap elections loom in February, with his chances of survival appearing slim.
Across the border, France is reeling from the unprecedented collapse of its government, a crisis that has further destabilized the country's fragile political landscape.
Canada, too, finds itself on shaky ground, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government struggles to stay afloat ahead of next year's elections.
Read more: Trudeau party MPs demand his resignation as leader or risk revolt
These political upheavals are underpinned by broader economic woes. Many of the world's leading democracies are suffering from persistently higher inflation and slower growth compared to the US, leaving them more vulnerable to internal and external pressures.
Adding to these challenges is the specter of Trump's "America First" policies, which could intensify the strain on America's allies.
Trump's proposed 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico, for example, has the potential to push North America—and possibly parts of Europe—into a recession, further destabilizing already fragile economies.
The potential weakening of NATO's mutual defense commitments under Trump is another pressing concern.
European nations may need to shoulder a greater share of the burden in arming Ukraine and ensuring their own security if Trump follows through on past threats to reduce US support for the alliance.
In East Asia, South Korea and Japan could face renewed demands to increase their financial contributions to maintain US troops stationed in their territories.
Read more: Trump says will consider leaving NATO if allies didn't 'pay bills’
Yet, amidst these uncertainties, the focus of many allies remains inward. With governments collapsing and political tensions boiling over, the immediate priority for many is resolving their own crises.
Trump's return to the White House, while significant, is not the central issue for nations preoccupied with their domestic challenges.
Under President Biden, the US sought to reassure allies with the message that "America is back."
However, as the world anticipates a potential Trump presidency, that approach appears to be giving way to the "America First" philosophy, leaving allies to navigate their own turbulent waters.
