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Would US-Japan ties be hurt by a Trump re-election?

December 11, 2023

GZERO Staff

Would US-Japan ties be hurt by a Trump re-election? | Emanuel Rahm | GZERO World

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Can one of the United States' closest allies count on it when the chips are down?

That question was up in the air during the four years of President Trump's administration. And now that the former President has a real chance of winning the White House in 2024 again, it's an urgent question again. And it's one that Ian Bremmer puts to the US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, in the last episode of GZERO World.

In an exclusive interview in Tokyo, Bremmer and Emanuel discuss various topics, ranging from the crucial (but complicated) US-Japan relationship, the ever-present security threats China poses, and the raging conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

But perhaps no question hit closer to home than America's reliability. "Elections may fluctuate," Emanuel assures Ian, "but strategic interests align."

Watch the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer episode: The complicated US-Japan relationship

Catch GZERO World with Ian Bremmer every week on US public television (check local listings) and at gzeromedia.com/gzeroworld.

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Would US-Japan ties be hurt by a Trump re-election?

Watch the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer episode: The complicated US-Japan relationship

Catch GZERO World with Ian Bremmer every week on US public television (check local listings) and at gzeromedia.com/gzeroworld.

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Would US-Japan ties be hurt by a Trump re-election?

Watch the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer episode: The complicated US-Japan relationship

Catch GZERO World with Ian Bremmer every week on US public television (check local listings) and at gzeromedia.com/gzeroworld.

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A new set of forces is distorting the economy's response mechanisms and muting the traditional cycle. Listen to Strategic Alternatives, the RBC Capital Markets podcast, to hear Chief Economist Frances Donald break down what it means for companies, investors, and policymakers.

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2: French President Emmanuel Macron rejected calls to resign as his fragile government faces two no-confidence votes this week.

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Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

In this week's Quick Take, Ian Bremmer talks about the landmark moment in the Middle East: All 20 remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas have been released, and a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has been signed—brokered by President Trump.

Israel approved the Gaza ceasefire deal on Friday morning, bringing the ceasefire officially into effect. The Israeli military must withdraw its forces to an agreed perimeter inside Gaza within 24 hours, and Hamas has 72 hours to return the hostages.

We’re living in a time of record-high conflict, a level of violence not seen since World War II. The past four years have been marred by deadly battles in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and beyond, with approximately 14% of the planet’s population now impacted by war.