Bilateral Summit for Pressure

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had an one-hour meeting with United States President Donald Trump in a Sicilian town Taormina, Italy, taking opportunity of annual Group of Seven Summit meeting. Maintaining uniquely moderate relationship among the Western leaders, Abe and Trump shared the necessity of putting more pressure on intimidatory North Korea rather than accumulating dialogues. They also agreed on taking action for enhancing defensive posture of both nations.

At the beginning of the meeting, Trump expressed his recognition on North Korean issue that it had to be absolutely settled. Abe praised the attitude of Trump to strongly commit world’s security. Both leaders agreed on necessity of higher pressure on North Korea, importance of China’s role, cooperation with South Korea and concerted effort for denuclearization of North Korea with every country.

Abe welcomed strong presence of U.S. Navy with aircraft carriers around Korean Peninsula. “Regarding importance of U.S. military presence, I expect cooperation of U.S. Force,” told Abe in the meeting. Accusing consecutive intimidation of North Korea with missile launches or possible nuclear test, Abe required Trump close relationship for integration of G7 on the issue.

They also talked about the situation in South China Sea, where China was taking unilateral advance. Abe supported U.S. Navy’s presence in the region and Operation Freedom of Navigation with expectation of close cooperation in East China Sea, where Chinese ships was sticking around Senkaku Islands of Japan. “Deterrence of U.S. Forces is the key for the stability of the region including Southeast Asia,” told Abe. Abe also revealed his intention to promote bilateral dialogue with China.

In terms of maintaining free trade, Abe was persuasive to Trump. “I’m going to refer to the importance of free and fair trade in G7 Summit meeting,” said Abe, receiving support from Trump. But, there was no discussion over including “countering protectionism” in the leaders’ declaration of G7 Summit. They avoided getting into the details of Trans-Pacific Partnership or bilateral free trade agreement, on which their opinions would not match.

Trump supposedly needed moderate relationship with one of the G7 leaders for maintaining U.S. leadership. Free trade is one of the main concepts of G7 framework. Fair trade is something Trump has been insisting on to attract his domestic supporters. Abe seemed to bridge those two standpoints by including expression of “free and fair trade,” which would still be unsure to be successful.