Washington– President Donald Trump invited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi during a phone call Friday to visit the United States this year, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, in what will be the conservative leader’s first trip to the United States. Since taking office in October.
The White House has not yet confirmed the call and invitation. Comes as Relations between Japan and China were tensewhich increases tensions in the region. The United States, a close ally of Japan, is seeking to strengthen its relations with Tokyo but also… Stability of its relationship with Beijing Before a Trump is likely to visit China in April.
Beijing organized for two days Military exercises In the waters off Taiwan this week. Takaishi, Japan’s first female prime minister, angered China late last year when she said Chinese military action against Taiwan could be an escalation. Reasons for the Japanese military responseAnd move away from the strategic ambiguity of previous Japanese leaders on this very sensitive issue.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday that Takaishi and Trump agreed to coordinate the visit, which will take place this spring. Japan’s Kyodo News suggested that Takaichi’s trip could coincide with the annual cherry blossom festival in Washington.
The Foreign Ministry said that the two leaders stressed that they would “write a new chapter in the history of the Japan-US alliance” in the year the United States celebrates the National Day. 250th anniversary of its founding They will “work to deepen friendly relations” between the two countries, including economic and security cooperation.
Takaishi and Trump also agreed on their commitment to strengthening cooperation among like-minded partners, including the Japan-US-South Korea partnership, and a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the State Department statement said.
The ministry said the two leaders exchanged views “mainly on the Indo-Pacific region,” but did not provide details, including whether the two leaders discussed Beijing’s recent actions in the region.
Chinese military maneuvers off Taiwan It also came after the Trump administration Announced a package of arms sales to Taiwan With a value exceeding $11 billion. If approved by Congress, it would represent the largest such aid ever to the island — a move strongly criticized by China.
Beijing claims sovereignty over the self-governing island and pledges to seize it by force if necessary. The United States is obligated under its domestic law to provide Taiwan with sufficient equipment to deter any attack from the mainland.
Trump said Monday that he was not informed of the training in advance but still praised his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump met with Takaishi in Tokyo in October, shortly after she took office. The two exchanged warm words, and Trump took it with him When he spoke to American forces on board an aircraft carrier in Japan.
After Takaishi’s Taiwanese comments angered Beijing, Trump called and spoke to her They said they were “very good friends” She should contact him at any time, according to the Japanese leader, without revealing whether the two spoke about her statements.