[Trump Era] “Trump, Very Appropriate to Discuss Level of Support”
“Japan’s Defense Budget Increase ‘Positive Development’… Same for South Korea”
Bill Hagerty, U.S. Senator. 2024.9.3/News1 © News1 Heo Kyung
(Seoul=News1) Reporter Lee Chang-kyu = Bill Hagerty, a close aide to President-elect Donald Trump and expected to serve as Secretary of State in Trump’s second administration, commented on the 10th (local time) on Trump’s claim about withdrawing U.S. troops from South Korea, saying it was “a businessman’s negotiation tactic.” He also hinted at the possibility of urging an increase in defense costs for U.S. troops in Korea.
Senator Hagerty appeared on CBS’s ‘Face the Nation’ that day and was asked whether President-elect Trump still prioritizes reducing the U.S. military presence in Asia, as he did in his first administration regarding U.S. troops in South Korea and Japan. Hagerty responded, “It stems from Washington elites not understanding the negotiating methods of a businessman.”
Senator Hagerty stated, “We’ve consistently stationed troops in those regions since World War II and the Korean War, making significant investments for the American people.” He added, “This investment was made when their economies were collapsing. They were developing countries at that time, but are now fully developed nations.”
He further stated, “I think Trump’s discussions regarding the level of support are very appropriate and relevant.”
Regarding criticism that it is not a ‘positive message’ to suggest abandoning allies, Hagerty argued, “The message should be that our allies can and should take actions within their capabilities to enhance their own capabilities.”
He remarked, “We are seeing such actions occur,” noting that “Japan has decided to double its defense budget from 1% to 2%, which is a positive development.”
He continued, “They are trying to work more closely with us, and they will clearly do so under the Trump administration. This is the direction we should head towards, and the same goes for South Korea.”
During his campaign, President-elect Trump compared South Korea to a ‘money machine,’ claiming that if he were in office, South Korea would be paying $10 billion annually for U.S. defense costs.
Last month, South Korea and the U.S. concluded the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost sharing. The result of the 12th SMA will apply from 2026 to 2030, with the defense cost for the first year, 2026, set 8.3% higher than in 2025, at 1.5192 trillion won. Future defense costs will be adjusted according to inflation rates.