In Japan, the three -day lightning visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was followed with suspicion of Trump. Ishiba was the second world leader – after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu – who met the recently re -elected Trump. The Japanese Prime Minister, known as shy, was faced with the challenge of strengthening the close ties with the US, while at the same time had to defend Japanese trade and defense interests. By allowing 1,000 billion dollars in investments and taking the promise more American oil and gas, Ishiba managed to avoid tensions with Trump, but not without making substantial concessions.
Although the relations between Japan and the US are traditionally strong, Trump has repeatedly expressed himself critically about the trade surplus and the defense spending of allies, including Japan. “Japan has a trade deficit of $ 68 billion with us. We have to solve that, and if that fails, I consider importing taxes, “he warned during the joint press conference. Ishiba tried to reduce tensions immediately by emphasizing that Japan is already the largest foreign investor in the US, and that he wants to expand these investments to an unprecedented amount of a trillion dollar.
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At the same time, the Japanese prime minister hopes to build a personal relationship with Trump to be able to keep the relationship between the two countries stable. The Christian Ishiba, for example, referred to the attack on the US President during a campaign meeting last year and expressed his admiration: “I thought you were sure at that time that you had been chosen by God.”
The flattering words show how much is at stake for Ishiba, especially after former President Biden stuck to power in his last days for the takeover of US Steel through the Japanese Nippon Steel. Trump also strongly pronounced the deal, and called it a threat to the American steel industry.
No takeover in steel
During the meeting this week, a compromise was reached for the time being: Instead of a takeover, Nippon Steel will invest in the American steel company. “A great solution,” said Trump. For Japan it is a major concession, although ISHIBA emphasized that in this way the Japanese technology can still contribute to the ailing American steel company.
Another important goal of Ishiba’s visit was to secure defense obligations to Japan. Tokyo is highly dependent on the US Army for its national security, but there is concern among Japanese policy makers that Trump will focus more on Europe and will give Japan less priority. Especially the increasing tension with China in the region feeds that fear.
Nevertheless, Trump reassured the Japanese prime minister by confirming that the US is obliged to help Japan with an attack on its territory-and that the guarantee also applies to the Senkaku Islands, a group of uninhabited islands in the East Chinese Sea where the chance A military conflict with China is growing. Prime Minister Ishiba further indicated that Japan is increasing his defense spending to 2 percent of GDP, but stated that “Japan does not do this because the US demands it, but because it is our own responsibility.”
Although this promise in Tokyo is well received, there is a substantial price card. Ishiba announced that “Japan is going to import more American oil and gas.” According to him, this should stimulate American exports on the one hand and help to reduce the American trade deficit with Japan on the other.
With a full agenda, Ishiba’s visit was a diplomatic balance game. He managed to get important commitments in the defense area, but paid a high price for this that shows how vulnerable the balance between diplomacy and economy remains in the relationship with the re -elected US President Trump.