[kj] Opinions: Trump and nuclear proliferation.

[Jim Harper]

Hello people. Inspired by recent discussions concerning Trump, I thought I would raise an issue and present it to the hive mind for debate.

Trump has said that he thinks it would be a good idea if Japan and South Korea developed their own nuclear arsenal. This follows on from his statements that both countries should be paying more to the US for their joint defence programmes.

Japan did briefly (and secretly) consider developing a clandestine nuclear programme in the 1960s, but didn't proceed with it (a) because it might alienate the USA and compromise their commitment to defending Japan, and (b) because of the (unsurprising) overwhelming anti-nuclear sentiment in the country.

Obviously (a) doesn't apply to Trump and he doesn't care about (b), but I'm of the opinion that new two nuclear powers would do little more than make East Asia even more unstable than it is already. Japanese and South Korean nuclear weapons would only harm the frankly poor relationship those two countries have with China and North Korea, not to mention the fact that those nations would both view it as an aggressive move by the USA.

Putin is already expanding his arsenal and I've no doubt Trump will do too. The only way I can see that a nuclear Japan and South Korea actually benefits Trump is if he envisages a military showdown with China or North Korea. Am I missing something here, is that what he's going for?

Jim.