[Independent Coverage] Former US President Bolton's Assistant "Alliance is a Loss Account"

[Independent Coverage] US President Bolton, Assistant to the US President "Alliance is a profitable account" 12:28 on July 9th

Former President Bolton, a security officer in the US Trump administration, responded to an NHK interview. Among them, President Trump is looking at the relationship with Japan and other allies as a profitable account, and if it is judged that the burden on the Japanese side is not sufficient, there is a possibility that US troops in Japan may withdraw Was shown.

Former President Bolton was responsible for security policy as an aide to President Trump until he was dismissed in September last year, and published a memoir based on his experience last month.

In an interview with NHK in Washington, DC, Bolton said on the 8th, regarding the alliance relationship between the United States and Japan, South Korea and European countries, "Everyone does not like the discussion of the amount, but the allies are profitable accounts. It's important for President Trump to look at," he said, paying more attention to the financial burden than anything else.

He added, "Trump's view is that breaking the alliance is not necessarily a bad idea," and regarding the U.S. Forces in Japan, "If you consider that payments have not been paid in proportion to the burden, the risk of withdrawal is There is a possibility that if the Japanese side decides that the burden is not sufficient, it may cause the troops of the US military in Japan to withdraw.

On the other hand, Mr. Bolton said, "In Japan, there are means to satisfy his profit and loss account such as not only the burden of stationing expenses but also the purchase of weapons," President Trump not only stationed expenses but also equipment. He showed that he would also consider purchasing items.

Regarding the negotiation of a special agreement on the cost of staying in Japan and the U.S. that will expire in March next year, ``Staying expenses are very interesting in Japan and causing disagreement with Prime Minister Abe is a risk to election campaigns. I think it's very unlikely that the agreement will be pushed ahead," said President Trump, who is unlikely to press for an agreement before the November election.