Japan and other allies brace for Trump but also for a divided U.S.

Ex-president's bombast may pose a lesser threat than America's disparities

20240408 Former U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. President Joe Biden

Ahead of elections in November, the latest polling shows former U.S. President Donald Trump leading incumbent Joe Biden in many swing states. (Source photo by Reuters)

HIROYUKI AKITA, Nikkei commentator

May 18, 2024 11:38 JST

TOKYO -- With less than six months before U.S. presidential election in November, opinion polls show former President Donald Trump pulling ahead of incumbent Joe Biden in many states that could swing the electoral college race.

Mindful of public sentiment, U.S. allies are fast preparing for Trump's potential return. The former president has already received visits from British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on April 8 and Polish President Andrzej Duda on April 17.