How Asia Learned to Live With “America First”

Foreign Affairs  |  John Lee

Western European nations are currently struggling to adapt to U.S. President Donald Trump’s transactional and highly unpredictable foreign policy, whereas Asian allies have successfully navigated these complex "America First" dynamics. This stark divergence in diplomatic resilience stems from differing regional security architectures and historical defense dependencies on Washington's extended deterrence commitments.

In the Indo-Pacific, policymakers have proactively adjusted their defense postures instead of deferring hard choices. Governments in Tokyo and Seoul have increased domestic military expenditures and deepened bilateral security arrangements to mitigate the risk of American abandonment. This strategic adaptation demonstrates that managing a transactional superpower requires partners to offer tangible security contributions rather than relying on historical sentiment. Consequently, the transatlantic alliance faces growing pressure to emulate this self-reliant model or risk systemic marginalisation. As Washington continues to demand reciprocity, the future of global security will depend on allies' willingness to transition from passive consumers of security to active contributors.

Comment

The divergence in alliance management between Brussels and Tokyo reveals a fundamental structural difference in how security guarantees are operationalised. While European members of NATO have historically relied on the collective defence mechanism of Article 5, Japan has continuously adapted its bilateral defence framework under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security to align with shifting American expectations. This proactive integration, exemplified by Tokyo's acquisition of counterstrike capabilities like Tomahawk cruise missiles, provides a template for burden-sharing that reduces the risk of abandonment. Ultimately, the durability of these security pacts depends on an ally's capacity to act as a net security provider rather than a passive consumer of American protection.

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