Japanese Prime Minister arrives in US: Topics for discussion with Trump
Shigeru Ishiba (photo: Getty Images)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has arrived in the US ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump. The two are expected to discuss deepening cooperation in defense and the economy, reports CNN.
The Friday visit makes Ishiba the first Asian leader to meet with Trump since the president returned to office. The long-awaited meeting will take place as the US president calls on partners to increase defense spending.
Ishiba is likely to discuss Japanese investments in the US, as well as the security alliance between the two countries in the Asia-Pacific region, where Japan plays a central role in Washington's security strategy.
CNN notes that the US maintains a significant military presence in Japan under the 1960 Mutual Cooperation and Security Treaty. Specifically, the US Armed Forces in Japan, headquartered at Yokota Air Base, consists of approximately 60,000 personnel stationed in the country.
“I’d like to confirm in my meeting with the president that Japan and the US will cooperate in the economic and security fields; that we will work together toward peace, and developing freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," said the Japanese Prime Minister.
Ishiba added that he hopes to strengthen trust with Trump during their meeting.
CNN reports that the agenda may also include a proposal for the merger of US Steel and Japan's Nippon Steel, which was blocked in January by former President Joe Biden, who cited national security concerns.
Reuters reported that Trump is opposed to the deal. According to the publication, on Thursday, the US president held a meeting with US Steel CEO David Burritt ahead of his meeting with Ishiba.
For its part, Nippon Steel reiterated on Thursday that this proposal is the best offer for US Steel.
"I hope that the Ishiba-Trump meeting will convey that to Trump and open the way for a deal," said Nippon Steel's Deputy CEO Takahiro Mori.
Strengthening relations between the US and Japan
On January 30, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatini held their first phone conversation. The two sides agreed to expand their joint military presence around the Japanese islands in the East China Sea.
Austin also confirmed that the defense treaty between the US and Japan applies to a group of islands in the East China Sea, which are under Japan's control but claimed by China.
