US-Japan ties experience era-defining predicament
(MENAFN) Relations between the US and Japan, America’s key ally in the Asia-Pacific, are facing one of the most severe crises in decades, with potentially significant consequences, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
Beyond strong economic connections, Japan hosts numerous US military bases that are crucial to America’s strategic presence near its main rival, China.
The report cited unnamed senior officials from both countries warning about a “fundamental fragility” in the relationship, intensified by US President Donald Trump’s recent tariff actions against Japan. Sources indicated that an “era-defining reset” in the partnership now seems inevitable.
Christopher Johnstone, a former White House official now with The Asia Group consultancy, suggested that the issues run deeper than any individual in the US administration. He said Japan’s leadership increasingly views the Trump administration as treating alliances as purely transactional, with no respect for longstanding ties.
Rahm Emanuel, former US ambassador to Japan under President Biden, told the Financial Times that the trade dispute could also impact the security framework across the Asia-Pacific region.
The article highlighted that Trump’s recent comments about Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba were noticeably colder than earlier remarks. By applying broad tariffs without distinguishing Japan from other, less important trading partners, Trump effectively slighted a major ally.
According to the report, Trump had expected Ishiba to be a cooperative partner in trade negotiations, but Ishiba sought a full exemption from tariffs. This miscalculation has left both sides dissatisfied.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump announced a 25% tariff on Japan and several other countries last Monday, accusing Tokyo of having economic ties with the US that are “unfortunately, far from reciprocal.”
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