Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba travels to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump, seeking to reassure the vital US-Japan alliance amidst worries about Trump's 'America First' policies. The summit will focus on strengthening security ties, particularly concerning China's actions in the region, and exploring economic collaboration opportunities.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba embarked on a trip to the United States on Thursday, preceding what would be President Donald Trump 's second summit with a foreign leader since his return to the White House. Japan, a key US ally in Asia, hosts around 54,000 US military personnel. Ishiba aims to underscore the significance of the US-Japan alliance amidst concerns that Trump's 'America First' agenda could strain trade and defense ties.
According to Japan's Nikkei newspaper, the leaders are expected to release a joint statement, potentially pledging to cultivate a 'golden age' of bilateral relations and elevate the alliance to 'new heights.' Ishiba is anticipated to convey to Trump that Japan will increase its defense purchases from the US. Additionally, he might propose importing more US natural gas, aligning with Trump's 'drill, baby, drill' policy while simultaneously bolstering energy security for resource-scarce Japan.'The goal is to present a win-win proposition from Ishiba to the president,' Sheila Smith, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, stated to Agence France-Presse (AFP). Notably, Japan has reduced its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia, creating a pressing need to explore new LNG and energy sources. This summit, following Trump's joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which sparked controversy with a proposal to seize the Gaza Strip, is anticipated to be less volatile. Smith remarked that Trump demonstrates a strong commitment to Asian alliances, suggesting a 'very calm, cool reassurance meeting.' Ishiba has emphasized the importance of US defense commitments, highlighting threats to Japan's security, such as China's assertive claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. Tokyo must 'continue to secure the US commitment to the region, to avoid a power vacuum leading to regional instability,' Ishiba recently affirmed to parliament.Trump and Ishiba are expected to reiterate the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Japanese media reported. This stance would echo joint statements issued by Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, with previous Japanese prime ministers. Focusing on this point is 'extremely important' as Japan and the US must collaborate to prevent a potential crisis, stated Takashi Shiraishi, a professor and international relations expert at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto.Both sides also plan to emphasize Washington's 'unwavering commitment' to Japan's defense, according to the Yomiuri daily. However, concerns linger that Trump might reduce financial contributions to defense and pressure Japan to shoulder a greater burden as the two nations renegotiate cost-sharing arrangements. Smith noted, 'That's where... the Ishiba-Trump relationship could get a bit sticky.'Trump's imposition of trade tariffs on major trading partners Canada, Mexico, and China has also generated anxiety. 'I hope Ishiba will demonstrate to him that there are alternative pathways to achieving economic security,' such as collaborative efforts in technology, Shiraishi told AFP.One example is the Stargate drive, initiated after Trump's January 20 inauguration, which aims to invest up to $500 billion in US AI infrastructure. This initiative is led by Japanese tech investment giant SoftBank Group and US firm OpenAI. Reports suggest the leaders may also discuss Nippon Steel's $14.9-billion bid to acquire US Steel, which Biden blocked on national security grounds. Japan and the US are each other's top foreign investors, and the Nikkei reported that the leaders will agree to foster an investment-friendly environment
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