US Allies Reject Trump’s Trade War

In recent political developments, close allies of the United States—Australia, Singapore, and Canada—have pushed back against former President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies. Last year was politically turbulent, with ruling parties in the United States, Britain and other nations losing elections, while governments in countries like Japan and India suffered setbacks. This year, however, the trend appears to be reversing.

Within a single week, Australia, Singapore, and Canada—despite their geographic and cultural differences—held critical elections. All three countries delivered remarkably similar outcomes: victories for incumbent parties that campaigned on strong opposition to Trump’s tariff threats and his transactional approach to global alliances.

Although foreign policy typically plays a minor role in national elections, this time was different. Voters went beyond domestic issues to send a clear message: they reject Trump's combative trade tactics and support leaders who are willing to stand up to them.

The broader takeaway from these elections is the emergence of a new political consensus among America's allies. Public opinion is coalescing around leaders who oppose Trump’s “America First” doctrine, which has disrupted global supply chains, strained diplomatic relationships, and undermined decades of multilateral economic cooperation. This shift signifies not just electoral continuity, but a popular mandate for resisting a zero-sum approach to international relations.

In Japan, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party faces another electoral test this summer, with elections for the less powerful—but still influential—upper house of the Diet. Ahead of this, Japan is eager to secure a trade agreement with the US.

Tokyo is preparing for a third round of tariff negotiations this month, though analysts remain skeptical about a breakthrough. Unlike Brirain, which recently secured a limited deal, Japan faces steeper challenges. It starts from a higher baseline tariff rate and must contend with the Trump administration’s firm stance on automotive trade—one of Japan’s most vital export sectors.

On the cybersecurity front, Sergiy Korsunsky, former Ukrainian ambassador to Japan and now a senior adviser at Nihon Cyber Defence Corporation, warns that excessive data accumulation poses serious risks in the age of artificial intelligence.

Diplomatically, Julia Longbottom, the British Ambassador to Japan, highlights recent British trade deals with India and the United States as evidence of shared values with Japan—particularly a mutual commitment to open and free trade.