Japan Seeks US Backing Ahead of Trump’s China Talks
President Donald Trump greets Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The meeting proceeded smoothly, aided by Takaichi’s amiable and notably deferential approach toward President Trump. Beyond the closely watched discussions surrounding Iranian oil, the leaders advanced regional security initiatives by increasing Japan’s missile production and enhancing US-Japan information sharing systems, with the common goal of stability across the Taiwan Strait while addressing threats from North Korea and other strategic competitors.
Takaichi’s right-wing government has taken a more assertive stance toward cross-Strait relations, which elicited strong responses from Beijing including economic sanctions and travel advisories. Extreme tension between the two nations over the past few months make Trump’s support of Japan a vehicle for easing frictions with China. The timing of Takaichi’s visit was particularly critical. With the Xi-Trump Summit postponed due to the Iran conflict, Japan’s input ensures that Tokyo wouldn’t be left out in “G2” conversations, a reference to the Group of Two framework in which the United States and China are seen as the two dominant powers shaping global affairs. In this current administration, Trump has revived the term in describing his approach to Beijing, a move that prompted skepticism in China. Analysts raise hegemonic concerns, as critics argue it could imply a duopoly that sidelines other allies and upends multilateral institutions.
The Chinese and United States flags are flown outside the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
With the Xi-Trump summit coming up on May 14-15, Washington and Beijing will need to sort out a range of issues, including trade, technology restrictions, and regional security matters, particularly around Taiwan. The outcome could shape not just US-China relations, but the wider stability of the Indo-Pacific region and how much influence allies like Japan will have in a world dominated by two superpowers.