Trump Tells Ishiba He Aims to Slash U.S.-Japan Trade Deficit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba made a whirlwind trip to Washington for his first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump. Ishiba, seeking to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations, focused on trade, defense, and AI cooperation while preparing to navigate Trump’s tough stance on tariffs and foreign investment. The visit included talks on military spending, cybersecurity, and a controversial Nippon Steel deal, as Ishiba worked to rebuild the close relationship Trump had with former PM Shinzo Abe.
Ishiba’s Washington Visit: Key Takeaways
- First White House Meeting with Trump: Ishiba aimed to build a personal bond, echoing Trump’s past friendship with Shinzo Abe.
- Trade & Investment on the Agenda: Japan remains a top foreign investor in the U.S., but Trump is focused on trade deficits and economic fairness.
- AI & Technology Cooperation: Ishiba discussed deepening U.S.-Japan partnerships in AI and semiconductor development.
- Defense Spending Talks: Trump is pressuring allies to boost military budgets, while Japan has pledged a 60% increase by 2027.
- Nippon Steel Deal Controversy: Ishiba prepared to defend Japan’s $14.1B bid for U.S. Steel, which Trump and Biden previously opposed.
- Strengthening Personal Ties: Ishiba sought advice from key figures like SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son and OpenAI’s Sam Altman before the meeting.
Trump Tells Ishiba He Aims to Slash U.S.-Japan Trade Deficit
Japan’s Ishiba Meets Trump, Navigates Trade, Defense & AI Talks
Deep Look: Ishiba’s Strategic White House Visit
His 24-hour trip included a working lunch, a joint press conference, and discussions on trade, technology, and security—all critical issues amid China’s rising influence in the Indo-Pacific.
“I think it will be very easy for Japan,” Trump said at start of his Oval Office meeting with Ishiba. “We have a fantastic relationship. I don’t think we’ll have any problem. They want fairness also.”
Trump’s push to cut the trade deficit comes as he has pursued tariffs on both friends and foes in an effort to boost American manufacturing.
“It is not only among politicians, but also among the general public as well as business leaders,” Ishiba said. “There are many that were anxiously awaiting your comeback.”
“I would like to focus on building a personal relationship of trust between the two of us,” Ishiba told reporters before heading to Washington.
Building a Bond with Trump
Ishiba knows he faces a tough challenge: rebuilding the close personal connection Trump had with former PM Shinzo Abe.
“It will be our first face-to-face talks, so I would like to focus on building a personal relationship of trust,” Ishiba said before departing for Washington.
To prepare, Ishiba met with:
- Masayoshi Son (SoftBank CEO) – A top Japanese investor in the U.S., who recently met with Trump.
- Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO) – Discussed AI cooperation ahead of U.S.-Japan tech talks.
- Shinzo Abe’s widow – A symbolic move to reinforce Japan’s historical ties with Trump.
Key Topics in the Ishiba-Trump Meeting
1. U.S.-Japan Trade & Investment
- Japan has been the largest foreign investor in the U.S. for five years, employing nearly 1 million Americans.
- However, the U.S. had a $68 billion trade deficit with Japan in 2024.
- Trump remains focused on trade imbalances and has hinted at new tariffs on allies.
What’s at Stake?
Ishiba sought to remind Trump of Japan’s role in U.S. economic growth, while avoiding a tariff dispute.
2. AI, Cybersecurity & Semiconductor Collaboration
- Ishiba wants Japan and the U.S. to lead in AI innovation, ensuring a secure tech future.
- Trump’s recent AI summit with SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle highlighted the importance of U.S.-Japan partnerships.
- Discussions included joint investment in semiconductor manufacturing, vital for countering China’s tech dominance.
3. Defense & Military Spending
- Japan has pledged to increase defense spending by 60% by 2027, meeting NATO’s 2% of GDP benchmark.
- Trump, however, is pushing allies to increase spending to 5% of GDP—a target difficult for many nations.
- Ishiba planned to highlight Japan’s billions spent on U.S. fighter jets and missile defense systems to reinforce its commitment to the alliance.
What’s at Stake?
Japan’s increased defense spending aligns with U.S. interests, but Trump’s pressure for more could strain relations.
Nippon Steel’s Bid for U.S. Steel: A Sensitive Issue
One of the most delicate topics Ishiba navigated was Nippon Steel’s attempt to acquire U.S. Steel for $14.1 billion.
- Biden blocked the deal in January, citing national security concerns.
- Trump also opposed it, saying U.S. Steel should remain American-owned.
- Nippon and U.S. Steel have since sued, seeking to overturn the decision.
Ishiba did not plan to bring up the deal, but was prepared to defend it if Trump raised concerns.
Trump Hints at Meetings With Zelenskyy and Putin
Trump said Friday that he will “probably” meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy next week and may also speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump was asked whether Vice President JD Vance would meet with Zelenskyy while traveling to France and Germany next week.
“I will probably be meeting with President Zelenskyy next week, and I’ll probably be talking with President Putin,” Trump responded. “I’d like to see that war end.”
When asked where he would meet Zelenskyy, Trump said, “It could be Washington—well, I’m not going there.” He did not provide details about his potential conversation with Putin.
Trump Defends Gaza Proposal as ‘Real Estate Transaction’
Trump defended his controversial Gaza plan on Friday, calling it a “simple real estate transaction” and insisting that the idea has been “very well received” globally—despite widespread criticism.
Trump’s proposal, which involves resettling Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and redeveloping the territory as a tourism hub, has faced strong opposition from international leaders and human rights groups.
Still, Trump doubled down on the idea, saying the U.S. is “in no rush to do anything.”
“We don’t want to see everybody move back and then move out in 10 years,” Trump said, referring to the possibility of renewed conflict.
Even top members of Trump’s own administration have contradicted him on whether Gaza’s resettlement would be permanent, but the president continues to push the plan as a long-term solution.
Looking to the Future: Strengthening U.S.-Japan Ties
Why This Visit Matters:
- Japan is a key U.S. ally, but Trump’s “America First” approach makes the relationship unpredictable.
- Ishiba is working to reestablish the strong ties that Trump and Abe built during Trump’s first term.
- His visit was designed to show Japan’s commitment to trade, defense, and tech cooperation while navigating Trump’s demands for economic and military shifts.
“President Trump is actually a good listener, too. Perhaps we (will) have good chemistry,” Ishiba said before the visit.
Could Golf Diplomacy Return?
Trump and Abe bonded over golf, strengthening U.S.-Japan ties.
- Sen. Bill Hagerty, Trump’s former ambassador to Japan, joked that Ishiba should pick up golf again to connect with Trump.
- Ishiba played in high school but hasn’t hit the course in years.
“I hope he takes golf lessons again,” Hagerty said. “Golf diplomacy worked wonders before.”
What’s Next?
Key Takeaways from Ishiba’s U.S. Visit:
- Strengthened U.S.-Japan trade, defense, and technology ties.
- Navigated Trump’s tough stance on tariffs and foreign investment.
- Discussed AI, cybersecurity, and semiconductor development.
- Avoided but prepared for the Nippon Steel controversy.
What to Watch Moving Forward:
- Will Japan’s investments be enough to prevent new tariffs?
- Will the U.S. push Japan to increase defense spending beyond 2% of GDP?
- Will Trump reconsider the Nippon Steel acquisition?
For now, Ishiba left Washington with a stronger U.S.-Japan partnership, but challenges remain ahead.
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