Working As a Liaison

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made European tour this week. In a meeting in Hanover, Germany, he shared recognition of importance of free and open economy with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Being proud of his status as the best friend of United States President Donald Trump in Group of Seven, Abe tried to work as Trump’s liaison with Europe. But he looked as a propitiator for volatile Europe.

Abe and Merkel agreed on a notion that it would be important for the value, integration and responsibility of G7 could not be shaken. In the meeting of Group of Twenty in Germany two days ago, the parties failed to wrap up their opinion over trade and dropped declaration against protectionism in the final document. It was because United States opposed that. Abe and Merkel reconfirmed the importance of free trade in the framework of G7, in which Japan participated as an only Asian nation.

What Abe insisted was firmness of the trilateral relationship. “It is important for Japan, Europe and United States to cooperate for solving regional and global problems,” told Abe in the meeting. Merkel was cynical on it. “In the time when we have to discuss free trade or value of democracy, Germany and Japan are creating the future without discussing such issues,” said Merkel in an event of information technology in Hanover.

Abe referred to the meeting with Trump last month to stress the standpoint of Japan to cooperate with U.S. for dealing with various issues. Merkel had a meeting with Trump last week, in which both leaders made different approach on trade. While Trump focused on fairness of trade, Merkel insisted on mutual interest through free trade. Although Abe tried to take a role as bridge between U.S. and Europe, it was unlikely for a Japanese leader to settle the dispute over free trade, in which Japan was also deeply interested.

Abe visited Brussels after Germany and had a meeting with the leaders of European Union on Tuesday. Both sides agreed on seeking early settlement of discussion for economic partnership agreement between Japan and E.U. Recognizing changes in Europe represented by Brexit or major elections coming, Abe hoped E.U. to maintain its integrity. But, United Kingdom is announcing its exit from E.U. next week.

In Rome, Abe encouraged Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni to deliver a message against protectionism in G7 Summit in Italy in May. In spite of Abe’s approach to Europe for free trade, it is likely that U.S. will be negative on anti-protectionism even in G7. Japan looks like lost between U.S. and Europe.