Takaichi and Trump Discuss Xi and the Indo-Pacific

Tokyo (ANTARA) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that US President Donald Trump explained in detail the outcome of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, including issues related to the Indo-Pacific region and Japan-US relations.

Takaichi told reporters in Tokyo on Friday, after speaking with Trump, that she was very grateful that the US president also raised the issue of Japan in his meeting with Xi, although he did not explain the details.

According to Takaichi, she and Trump also exchanged views on various challenges related to China in the fields of security and economics, and agreed to maintain close communication regarding the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

“With President Trump, I reaffirmed the unwavering Japan-US alliance,” said Takaichi at her office.

Trump said that he and Xi had reached a number of “fantastic trade agreements” without explaining the details, and that they shared similar views on efforts to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House said that both of them rejected any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo, including through force or coercion, which is believed to refer to China’s growing influence.

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated since Takaichi, who is known for her hawkish security views, said in November that a conflict over Taiwan could pose a threat to Japan’s survival and trigger a response from the Self-Defense Forces to support the US.

Source: Kyodo