Japan says Trump has invited its leader to the US. It comes as ties with China are strained
WASHINGTON (AP) — Japan’s foreign ministry said President Donald Trump invited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to visit the United States this year during a phone call Friday. Since taking office in October.
The White House has not yet confirmed the call and invitation. It sounds like this Relations between Japan and China are tenseincreases tension in the region. Japan’s close ally, the United States, is seeking to strengthen ties with Tokyo, but it is also Stabilizing relations with Beijing in front of a Trump’s possible visit to China in April.
Beijing staged for two days military exercises this week in the waters off Taiwan. Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, angered China late last year by saying that Chinese military action against Taiwan was a possible event. Reasons for Japanese military responsebreaking with the strategic uncertainty of former Japanese leaders on highly sensitive issues.
Japan’s foreign ministry said Friday that Takaichi and Trump agreed to coordinate for the visit this spring. Japan’s news agency Kyodo News suggested that Takaichi’s trip could coincide with the cherry blossom festival held annually in Washington.
The foreign ministry said the two leaders confirmed that they would “open a new page in the history of the Japan-US alliance” in a year when the US celebrates Japan. 250th anniversary of its founding He stated that they will “further deepen friendly relations” between the two countries, including economic and security cooperation.
Takaichi and Trump also agreed on commitments to promote cooperation among like-minded partners, including the Japan-US-South Korea partnership, and a free and open Indo-Pacific, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said the two exchanged views “mainly on the Indo-Pacific region” but did not provide details, including whether the two discussed Beijing’s recent actions in the region.
China’s military exercise off the coast of Taiwan It also came after the Trump administration Announced arms sales package to Taiwan worth more than $11 billion. If approved by Congress, this would represent the largest aid ever given to the island, a move that has been sharply criticized by China.
Beijing claims sovereignty over the self-governing island and promises to seize it by force if necessary. The United States is obliged by domestic law to provide Taiwan with adequate equipment to deter any attack from the mainland.
On Monday, Trump said he was not informed about the drills in advance but still touted his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump met Takaichi in Tokyo shortly after taking office in October. The two exchanged warm words and Trump took him with him When he spoke to US soldiers on an aircraft carrier in Japan.
After Takaichi’s comments in Taiwan angered Beijing, Trump called him and He said they were “extremely good friends” According to the Japanese leader, he told her that he should call her whenever he wants, without revealing whether the two had talked about his remarks.
