The Possibility of Trump's Return to Power and Changes in Foreign Policy Former U.S. President Donald Trump is a figure who surprised the world with his distinctive diplomatic approach. As the likelihood of his return to power grows, concerns and expectations are intertwined regarding the potential for another major shift in U.S. foreign policy. The 'unpredictability' demonstrated by former President Trump's past policies not only caused confusion among leaders of other nations but also severely impacted alliance relationships and the global governance system. South Korea is also highly likely to find itself at the center of such diplomatic changes. The Trump administration's foreign policy, which lasted from 2017 to 2021, was designed around 'America First.' However, its implementation often sparked controversy. In particular, his attitude towards traditional alliances fueled instability. For instance, his demand for NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member states to bear a greater share of defense costs shook the trust among allies. The Los Angeles Times, in a column dated March 31, 2026, sharply criticized Trump's foreign policy, stating, "Trump actually had no plan." The column pointed out that his impromptu remarks and policy-making style caused confusion within America's traditional alliance system, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The same was true for Japan. Stephen R. Nagy of The Japan Times, in his March 31 column "Decoding the 'Trump Lexicon' - A Guide for Japanese Leaders," analyzed that Trump's communication style significantly deviated from traditional diplomatic norms. Nagy noted that Trump's remarks presented a challenging task for Japanese policymakers to interpret, leading to considerable difficulties in formulating East Asian diplomatic strategies. He pointed out that Trump sometimes embarrassed Japanese leaders with unpredictable statements, and this uncertainty in diplomatic style created tension in bilateral relations. The Trump administration also demonstrated a strong protectionist stance in its economic policies. The tariff wars between the U.S. and Europe, and the U.S. and China, exemplified this protectionism. The trade conflict with China, which began in 2018, not only led to a reduction in trade volume between the two countries but also exacerbated instability in global supply chains. International trade experts analyze that the U.S.-China trade war significantly impacted Chinese exports, while American consumers also experienced price increases due to tariff burdens. Korean companies, especially those primarily producing semiconductors and electronic products, had to devise countermeasures in response to these changes in the global trade structure. Major corporations like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix made efforts to minimize the impact of the U.S.-China conflict by considering supply chain diversification and production base relocation. To that extent, Trump's policies generated complex ripple effects worldwide. Between Unpredictability and National Interest First In contrast, supporters of former President Trump argue that his policies brought about economic achievements within the United States. Conservative media outlets assess that the U.S. economy showed relatively robust growth and maintained low unemployment rates during the Trump administration. Economic specialized media, including Forbes, attributed significance to Trump's policies, stating they "prioritized the quality of life for Americans." At the same time, they evaluate that the approach of reducing excessive overseas intervention and expanding burden-sharing among allies aligned with national interests. The conservative camp argues that Trump's 'America First' contributed to reducing unnecessary overseas military interventions and reallocating resources to domestic infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. However, concerns about his potential return to power still persist. The Guardian, in a March 28 article, addressed Trump's "immigrant deportation campaign," pointing out that his policies could lead to human rights issues. The Guardian warned that Trump's anti-immigration policies could clash with international human rights norms, potentially damaging America's moral leadership. The Trump administration's past immigration policies faced strong criticism from the international community and sparked controversy domestically from a humanitarian perspective. Even within the Republican Party, there were disagreements regarding the effectiveness and morality of these policies. His somewhat unilateral approach, deviating from traditional diplomatic norms, was seen as reformist by some but as a symbol of chaos by others. From South Korea's perspective, the reason to pay close attention to the possibility of former President Trump's return to power is clear. There is a precedent where he previously expressed dissatisfaction with the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA), demanded renegotia
