Trump courts Japan’s emperor and new PM before high-stakes Xi summit this week
In a strategic diplomatic move, President Donald Trump is strengthening ties with Japan ahead of a pivotal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival in Tokyo, Trump engaged in a symbolic meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace, emphasizing the importance of Japan as a key ally. The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly regarding trade issues. On Tuesday, Trump is set to meet with Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is making history as Japan’s first female leader. Their meeting is expected to foster a connection rooted in shared respect for the late Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former prime minister and a close ally of Trump, who was tragically assassinated in 2022.
During his visit, Trump expressed optimism about Takaichi’s leadership, stating, “I think she’s going to be great,” and highlighting their mutual admiration for Abe. This meeting is particularly significant as Takaichi leads a right-wing coalition and has been vocal about Japan’s need to bolster its defense spending, which has historically been low at around 1% of GDP. Analysts suggest that the U.S. is pushing for Japan to meet NATO’s target of 2%, with Trump likely to press Takaichi on this issue. Additionally, Japan’s reliance on U.S. military support, with approximately 60,000 American troops stationed in the country, has raised concerns among Japanese officials, particularly in light of Trump’s past suggestions that Japan should shoulder more costs for U.S. military presence.
As the backdrop of these discussions unfolds, U.S. and Chinese negotiators have reported significant progress in trade talks in Malaysia, easing some of the tensions that had strained U.S.-China relations. With Trump threatening to reinstate a 100% tariff on Chinese goods, the potential for a trade agreement looms large ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting later this week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that talks have mitigated the necessity of such tariffs, and there is an expectation that China will delay its restrictions on critical minerals. Both the U.S. and Japan are poised to use this week’s meetings to reaffirm their partnership, which Trump has labeled “the most important partnership in Asia,” setting a collaborative tone as they approach the crucial summit with Xi.
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President
Donald Trump
is cozying up with top ally Japan’s emperor and new prime minister Monday ahead of a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Upon arrival in Tokyo, Trump sat down with Japanese Emperor Naruhito, the nation’s symbolic leader, at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace.
On Tuesday, Trump will meet
Japan’s first female prime minister
, Sanae Takaichi.
The two are expected to bond over their fondness for Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former prime minister who was assassinated in 2022.
TRUMP’S FOCUS TURNS TO JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA AS ASIA TRIP CONTINUES
“I look forward to meeting the new prime minister. I hear phenomenal things,” Trump said on Monday. “He was a great ally and friend of Shinzo Abe, who was my friend, the former prime minister. And he was great. He was one of my best … I know they were very close.”
“I think she’s going to be great,” he said of Takaichi.
Meanwhile, U.S. and China negotiators reported great progress in Malaysia on a potential trade deal, easing tensions ahead of the
Trump-Xi meeting on Thursday
.
Relations between the two world leaders had strained over China’s recent crackdown on critical mineral exports and Trump threatened to bring back the 100% tariff on Chinese goods.
Treasury Secretary
Scott Bessent
said Sunday talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit had eliminated the need for 100% tariffs, expected to take effect Nov. 1, and that he expects China to delay implementation of its restrictions on rare earth minerals and magnets.
Trump and Xi are expected to sign off on the agreement during the meeting if talks go well.
JAPAN’S FIRST FEMALE PM TO MEET TRUMP: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HEAVY METAL FAN
Takaichi took office last week and leads a right-wing coalition. Trump already congratulated the new prime minister on becoming Japan’s first female top leader.
Takaichi is expected to tout Japan’s efforts to increase defense spending, which long sat at 1% of GDP — a figure analysts say falls well short of what the U.S. is pushing for from its allies.
During the meeting with Trump, Takaichi is expected to face pressure to raise defense spending even further to match NATO’s 5% target.
Takaichi has expressed concern about Japan’s reliance on the U.S., but signaled intentions to work closely with Trump. She took office on a recent populist wave in Japan similar to the MAGA movement.
Trump’s suggestion that Japan should pay for U.S. troops in the region has spooked some Japanese officials. Around 60,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Japan, making it the largest foreign host of U.S. forces.
Adding to those concerns, a trade framework in July placed a 15% tariff on imported Japanese goods, with higher rates for steel, aluminum and auto parts.
Despite these challenges, both sides are expected to use this week’s meetings to reaffirm what Trump has called “the most important partnership in Asia,” setting the stage for his critical summit with Xi later this week.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
