Takaichi Wants to Call Trump Over Concerns of US-China Compromise on Taiwan
The Japanese government is monitoring the outcome of the meeting between the United States and China on Thursday (14/5), amid concerns that US President Donald Trump may offer concessions on the Taiwan issue in exchange for a trade agreement.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, whose statements on Taiwan last November led to a deterioration in relations with Beijing, is considering contacting Trump, who is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a senior Japanese official.
As reported by Xinhua News Agency, Xi told Trump during their closed-door meeting that the two countries would face clashes, even conflict, which could completely damage relations, unless the US handles the Taiwan issue appropriately.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Takaichi told parliament members that an attack on Taiwan could trigger a retaliatory response from Japan’s Self-Defence Forces to support the US. Tokyo is also deeply concerned about Beijing’s increasingly “arbitrary” actions in the region.
Japan also maintains non-governmental relations with Taiwan.
“Prime Minister (Takaichi) could speak with Trump via a phone channel,” the senior Japanese official said.
Through that conversation, Japan would listen to the views expressed in the meeting to establish a comprehensive analysis and assessment.
“You can’t guess what Trump will say,” said a high-ranking official at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, Japan is facing increasing pressure from China, which is implementing export controls on civil commodities that can also be used for military purposes (dual-use), potentially including rare earth commodities.
The Trump-Xi meeting is expected to discuss a series of topics with significant implications for Japan, including the US-Israel war against Iran and China’s control of rare earth commodities.
“We must really pay attention to which areas they manage to agree on and where agreements have not been reached,” said a Japanese official.