As the U.S. Election Nears, the World Watches Anxiously

With less than three months to go before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the global community is watching with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. The stakes are high, not only for Americans but for the international order, global markets, and key geopolitical alliances.

President Joe Biden, running for a second term, faces a formidable challenge from Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, who is attempting a dramatic political comeback. Their rematch has reignited fierce domestic debates around immigration, climate policy, abortion rights, and economic inequality. But outside the U.S., the focus is on how the result will shape global stability.

“America is not just voting for a leader—it’s voting for a global direction,” says Anya Richter, a political analyst at the London School of Economics. “The next president will heavily influence issues like NATO cohesion, China relations, and green energy commitments.”

In East Asia, concerns loom large. South Korea and Japan, both key U.S. allies, are closely watching the candidates’ stances on North Korea and Indo-Pacific military policy. A second Trump term could mean a return to transactional diplomacy and pressure for increased defense spending by allies. In contrast, the Biden administration has emphasized multilateral partnerships and long-term security agreements.

In Europe, leaders worry about the continuity of support for Ukraine. While Biden has pledged ongoing military and financial aid, Trump has criticized “blank-check diplomacy” and called for a negotiated end to the war. This uncertainty has led some EU members to accelerate defense integration and energy independence efforts.

The global economy is also on edge. Markets prefer predictability, and policy shifts—particularly regarding tariffs, tech regulations, and central bank autonomy—could have ripple effects far beyond American borders. The IMF has warned of heightened volatility around the election period, especially in emerging markets.

Meanwhile, international media coverage of the race is at an all-time high, reflecting not just curiosity but deep investment. “We’re seeing record viewership in Korea, Germany, and Brazil for American political content,” notes Sara Kim, a Seoul-based journalist. “People sense that the U.S. election will shape their own futures, directly or indirectly.”

With the first televised debates scheduled for late September, the race is expected to intensify in tone and stakes. And while the American public casts their votes in November, the rest of the world will be holding its breath.

Date: 2024-09-23

Reporter: 박근홍