Trump Urges Restraint as Japan-China Tensions Rise Following Minister’s Taiwan Remarks
TOKYO – Former U.S.President Donald Trump has reportedly urged Japan to avoid escalating tensions with China following controversial remarks by a Japanese minister regarding Taiwan, according to sources familiar with the matter.The silence from Trump has prompted concern within Japan’s ruling party, with some lawmakers expressing a desire for stronger public support from the U.S. amid growing pressure from Beijing.
The situation stems from comments made by Sanae Takaichi, a Japanese parliamentarian, concerning Taiwan, which deviated from Japan’s longstanding policy of strategic ambiguity. While she cannot retract the statement, officials say, it has created a diplomatic challenge that risks damaging economic ties and straining relations with China.
Washington’s envoy to Tokyo has affirmed U.S. support for Japan in the face of China’s “coercion.” Though, two senior lawmakers from Japan’s ruling party indicated they had hoped for a more robust endorsement from their primary security ally, stating, “We’d like a word from trump himself.”
The concern is that Trump’s public silence could be interpreted by Beijing as permission to increase pressure on Japan. Some analysts suggest Trump is prioritizing the fragile trade truce he reached with Chinese President Xi Jinping in October, and is seeking to avoid confrontation ahead of a planned visit to Beijing in April.
Japan hosts the largest contingent of U.S. military personnel overseas and has been bolstering its defensive capabilities in recent years, a move that has already drawn criticism from China.
According to a statement attributed to Chinese officials,”China and the United States share a common obligation to jointly safeguard the post-war international order and oppose any attempts or actions to revive militarism.”
