Wanting to Be a Good Friend

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a telephone conference with United States President Donald Trump on Saturday. They reconfirmed the importance of Japan-U.S. alliance and exchanged their opinion on trade policy and security issues. They also agreed on having the first meeting after inauguration of Trump in Washington, D.C. on February 10^th.

According to the reports of newspapers, Abe congratulated Trump of his winning of Presidential election. “I’m going to do everything I have said. Starting is important. I know the importance of the relationship with Japan,” told Trump, based on the information from Japanese government officials. White House released that both leaders reconfirmed deepening bilateral trade and investment and cooperation against threat of North Korea.

It is obvious that trade issue will be the focus in their meeting next month. Trump has been expressing his frustration with car trade with Japan. “Bilateral economic relationship is very important. Let us talk about it in next meeting,” told Trump to Abe. Although Abe explained that Japanese carmakers had been contributing to produce jobs in U.S. for many years, Trump did responded to it.

It is expected that Trump will demand Abe many things. He will possibly pose higher tariff on Japanese cars, require Japan to import more amount of agricultural products or accuse Japan of its manipulation of foreign exchange rate. For Trump, bilateral free trade agreement with Japan must be more preferable for U.S. than Trans-Pacific Partnership which he dislikes.

Security issues are less controversial for both leaders. Trump wanted Abe to welcome Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, who was going to visit Japan on May 3^rd, introducing Mattis as a reliable expert on security issues. Trump actually demanded in his Presidential campaign 100% payment of cost for U.S. Force to station in Japan. It is possible that sharp discussion over the maintenance of Japan-U.S. alliance will start immediately.

Diplomacy of Trump administration has a tendency that he distinguishes good friends from not good. While Trump was polite in the meeting with British Prime Minister, Theresa May, the attitude to Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto, was entirely intimidating namely on border control. Japanese government officials expects good relationship with Trump, delighted with extension of time of telephone conversation of both leaders from planned 15-30 minutes to 40 minutes. They need to hope that the distinction between May and Peña Nieto was not based on ethnic reason.