Japan, US Discuss China Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said she held a “timely” discussion on China with US President Donald Trump ahead of his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Tokyo seeks close coordination with Washington on regional security and economic issues.
Takaichi and Trump Discuss China in New York
Takaichi met Trump for about 35 minutes on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
She said the two leaders exchanged views on several issues concerning China and stressed that Japan considers stable US-China relations important for the wider international community.
The meeting came shortly before Trump’s scheduled talks with Xi in Washington, giving Tokyo an opportunity to communicate its priorities ahead of the high-level US-China summit.
Japan-US Talks Cover Economic Security
The leaders also discussed economic security and agreed to deepen cooperation in strategically important sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals.
They reaffirmed plans to strengthen the Japan-US alliance and improve its deterrence and response capabilities across the Indo-Pacific.
Trump and Takaichi also discussed the implementation of existing US-Japan tariff arrangements and agreed to continue economic cooperation.
Taiwan and Indo-Pacific Security Remain in Focus
While Takaichi did not publicly disclose detailed discussions on Taiwan, regional security remains a major concern for Japan as tensions continue across the Taiwan Strait.
The two leaders also discussed North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes and reaffirmed their support for its complete denuclearisation.
Takaichi said the meeting demonstrated the strength of the Japan-US alliance amid what she described as an increasingly difficult security environment in Asia.
