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Pursuing an Even Stronger Partnership With Japan
After meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru for the first time, President Donald Trump praised the decades-long bonds “of history, commerce, culture, mutual admiration, and great respect” between the American and Japanese people. He expressed confidence that the countries’ cherished alliances will continue to flourish.
The military partnership between the United States and Japan, President Trump noted, is one of the closest and strongest in the world.
“Our service members work together every day to defend our common interests. Japan is committed to double its defense spending by 2027,” said President Trump. “In addition to being vital for our shared security, Japan is one of the top purchasers of U.S. military exports and equipment ... This week, my administration approved nearly $1 billion in foreign military sales to Tokyo.”
President Trump underscored the United States’ iron-clad commitment to Japan’s security.
“We will extend the full strength of American deterrence capabilities in defense of our friend and ally 100 percent,” said President Trump. “In the years to come, the Prime Minister and I will be working closely together to maintain peace and security. And I also say peace through strength and all over the Indo-Pacific.”
In a joint statement, the two leaders “reiterated their strong opposition to any attempts by the People’s Republic of China to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea.” They also expressed their strong opposition to the PRC’s unlawful maritime claims and provocative activities in the South China Sea.
Both in their joint statement and remarks after their meeting, the two leaders affirmed their robust economic cooperation. President Trump noted that Japan has invested nearly $800 billion in the United States. “And that’s going to go up very substantially in the coming months,” he declared, “more than any other country.”
In addition, President Trump announced that Japan will soon begin importing “historic new shipments of clean American liquefied natural gas in record numbers” and that the two countries are considering a joint venture involving Alaska oil and gas.
President Trump also praised Japan for the decision made by Nippon Steel to make a substantial investment in U.S. Steel, rather than trying to purchase the landmark U.S. company.
In their joint statement, President Trump and Prime Minister Ishiba wrote of their determination “to pursue a new golden age for U.S.-Japan relations.” Their first meeting was a curtain raiser for the region.