This is an argument that Trump has been making for decades. He believes US is getting the short end of these deals because he sees the US almost as mob guys providing protection but forgetting to collect protection money. He sees the US as spending money protecting Japan, S. Korea, and Europe without getting proper return. I believe we've been getting peace and favorable trade deals in return. He thinks that isn't enough and that it's time to collect.
The same thinking has him arguing that we should get the oil fields after the Iraq war.
I don't agree with this reasoning but we're about to see this play out.
Edit: here's a video that I linked to in my other comments. It's an Opera interview from 1988 where Trump says Japan is "beating the hell out of this country" and "they aren't paying" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEPs17_AkTI
This has been the most consistent part of Trump's platform. America is getting the short end of the deal.
Again, I'm not a Trump supporter but this policy is what Trump genuinely believes and will likely pursue.
The same thinking has him arguing that we should get the oil fields after the Iraq war.
I don't agree with this reasoning but we're about to see this play out.
Edit: here's a video that I linked to in my other comments. It's an Opera interview from 1988 where Trump says Japan is "beating the hell out of this country" and "they aren't paying" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEPs17_AkTI
This has been the most consistent part of Trump's platform. America is getting the short end of the deal.
Again, I'm not a Trump supporter but this policy is what Trump genuinely believes and will likely pursue.